COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - The West Michigan Whitecaps (6-7, 42-41) scored five runs in the seventh inning to win a seesaw contest, 8-4, over the Lansing Lugnuts (10-3, 53-30) on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.Jesus Navarro homered in the fifth and Owen Spiwak lined a two-run single in the
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - The West Michigan Whitecaps (6-7, 42-41) scored five runs in the seventh inning to win a seesaw contest, 8-4, over the Lansing Lugnuts (10-3, 53-30) on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Jesus Navarro homered in the fifth and Owen Spiwak lined a two-run single in the seventh, helping the Lugnuts take leads of 2-0 and 4-3 respectively.
In the bottom of the seventh, however, debuting 18-year-old Lugnuts right-hander Yunior Hinojosa (Loss, 0-1) gave up an infield single to Dylan Rosa and a one-out bunt single to Joey Morgan. Garrett McCain followed with a go-ahead two-run triple for a 5-4 Whitecaps lead. Hinojosa struck out Brady Policelli and then walked Brock Deatherage before he was taken out of the game. New reliever Orlando Pascual gave up consecutive RBI singles to the Whitecaps' Rey Rivera, Jordan Pearce and Kody Clemens, capping the scoring.
Lugnuts starter Maximo Castillo entered the game with a team-high 16-inning scoreless streak and extended it 20 1/3 innings before a Rosa solo home run in the fifth inning. Castillo pitched to three batters in the fifth inning, allowing a two-run homer to Policelli, before departing with five strikeouts, five hits and three runs allowed in five innings-plus.
Whitecaps starter Dane Myers gave up seven hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings. He was followed to the hill by Will Vest (win, 3-1) who pitched the final 3 2/3.
In the loss, Lansing third baseman Brandon Grudzielanek went 3-for-4 and second baseman Navarro was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
The series now shifts to Michigan's state capital for the next two days, with Wednesday night serving as one of the great stages in Minor League Baseball: An Independence Day spectacular at Cooley Law School Stadium beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by the biggest LAFCU Fireworks show of the year! Right-hander Maverik Buffo (4.01 ERA) gets the start for the Nuts against Whitecaps right-hander Elvin Rodriguez (4.26). To purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
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