‘Caps Get Split in 5-4 Comeback Win
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps enjoyed a dominant showing from their bullpen as they scored five unanswered runs to defeat the Dayton Dragons 5-4 in front of 5,726 fans Sunday evening during a 4th of July celebration at LMCU Ballpark. WATCH: ELIEZER ALFONZO’S GAME-TYING HOME RUN The
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps enjoyed a dominant showing from their bullpen as they scored five unanswered runs to defeat the Dayton Dragons 5-4 in front of 5,726 fans Sunday evening during a 4th of July celebration at LMCU Ballpark.
WATCH: ELIEZER ALFONZO’S GAME-TYING HOME RUN
The Whitecaps bullpen combined to allow just one run through seven innings with no walks, registering seven strikeouts and holding the Dragons to an 0-for-9 mark with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, four different 'Caps enjoyed multi-hit games - including Brady Allen, who finished 3-for-4 with a go-ahead RBI double to earn the win and the series split.
Dayton led off the game with a solo home run from Jack Rogers - the first time they've opened a game with a home run this season - taking the 1-0 lead in the first. The Dragons added to their lead in the second as Austin Callahan added an RBI double before a wild pitch scored him, increasing the advantage to 3-0. Dayton added their fourth run in the third as Austin Hendrick added a solo homer, increasing their lead to 4-0. The Whitecaps began their rally in the fifth, as Eliezer Alfonzo collected an RBI single before Luis Garcia added an RBI in the sixth, trimming the lead to 4-2. Meanwhile, the 'Caps pen kept the Dragons at bay, holding Dayton to just one hit past the second inning as Alfonzo added a two-run homer in the seventh to level the score at 4-4. West Michigan forged in front in the eighth as Allen collected an RBI double - his second double of the game - before closer Cam Brown tossed a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts to slam the door on the 5-4 victory.
The Whitecaps improve to 37-37 and 5-4 in the second half, while the Dragons fall to 39-36 and 6-3 in the second half. Whitecaps reliever Gabe Sequeira (2-0) gets his second win, tossing 0.2 scoreless innings with a strikeout as Brown collects his first save as a Whitecap. Dragons reliever Jayvien Sandridge (3-3) suffers his third loss, allowing a run through 1.1 innings of work. Brown has enjoyed a dominant stretch out of the bullpen, collecting ten strikeouts through four scoreless frames in his last three appearances.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps head to Parkview Field to open a six-game series with the Fort Wayne TinCaps beginning Tuesday at 6:05 pm. The Whitecaps throw pitcher Williander Moreno against Top San Diego Padres prospect and TinCaps righty Jairo Iriarte. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network beginning at 5:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.