Loons Speed Past ‘Caps, 2-1
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps couldn't string any hits together despite a stellar performance from the pitching staff, falling to the Great Lakes Loons 2-1 in front of 5,005 fans Tuesday evening at LMCU Ballpark. West Michigan struggled to generate any offense, reaching just four baserunners while
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps couldn't string any hits together despite a stellar performance from the pitching staff, falling to the Great Lakes Loons 2-1 in front of 5,005 fans Tuesday evening at LMCU Ballpark.
West Michigan struggled to generate any offense, reaching just four baserunners while finishing 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position - including just one hit through the last six innings. Meanwhile, 'Caps pitchers allowed just two runs while compiling 12 strikeouts and holding the Loons to an 0-for-1 mark with runners in scoring position in the defeat.
The Whitecaps scored in the first inning as Eliezer Alfonzo added an RBI single, taking the 1-0 lead. The Loons responded in the following inning as Dalton Rushing collected a solo homer, leveling the game at 1-1. The Whitecaps managed just one hit from the second through the fifth inning as Great Lakes designated hitter Damon Keith added the Loons second homer - forging in front 2-1. The West Michigan bullpen impressed behind Jobe, as relievers Wilkel Hernandez and Gabe Sequeira combined for four scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Still, the 'Caps failed to mount a rally, as Loons reliever Jared Karros allowed just one hit through four scoreless innings to slam the door on the slim 2-1 victory.
The Whitecaps record drops to 65-60 overall and 33-27 in the second half, while the Loons jump to 74-52 and 29-32 in the second half. Loons starting pitcher Peter Heubeck (1-2) secures his first win in the Midwest League, allowing one run through five innings as Karros picks up his first save. Jobe (2-2) suffers his second loss despite allowing just two runs through five innings with six punchouts in the contest. The Loons and Whitecaps finished their game in 1:50 - three minutes sooner than the quickest game of the season when the 'Caps and TinCaps finished in just 1:53 back on July 6. It is believed to be the second-shortest nine-inning game in franchise history and the shortest since June 24, 2004, when the Whitecaps and Beloit Snappers finished in 1:36. Five of the Whitecaps last eight losses have come by just one run.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue the final six-game series of the 2023 season against the Great Lakes Loons at LMCU Ballpark Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 p.m. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.