Tigers' Gutierrez, Whitecaps blank Chiefs

Daytime is the right time for Tigers prospect Alfred Gutierrez.
Making his first day game appearance of the season, the 21-year-old right-hander allowed one hit while fanning six batters over six frames Wednesday as West Michigan blanked host Peoria, 3-0. Gutierrez did not walk a batter and has issued just one free pass in 27 1/3 innings in 2017.

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Gutierrez, a native of Venezuela, retired the first four Chiefs he faced before Peoria third baseman Andy Young reached on an error by shortstop Daniel Pinero in the second inning. He set down the next nine batters in order before Brian O'Keefe delivered a one-out single in the fifth. That was all the Chiefs could muster against Gutierrez during his season-high six innings. They did not have a runner reach second base until the ninth, against Whitecaps closer Bryan Garcia, who notched his eighth save.

After going 1-4 in 15 appearances for Class A Short Season Connecticut last year -- he also took the loss in one spot start for Class A Advanced Lakeland -- Gutierrez improved to 3-1 for West Michigan. He's held Midwest League hitters to a .221 average. His 0.88 WHIP ranks eighth among qualifiers on the Class A circuit.
On offense, the Whitecaps got back-to-back doubles from Blaise Salter and Josh Lester to lead off the second inning, and both players eventually came around to score. Cam Gibson and Austin Athmann had two singles apiece, with Gibson adding a pair of stolen bases. The win gave West Michigan its sixth consecutive series victory and pulled the club into a tie for second in the MWL Eastern Division at 21-12.
Cardinals Major Leaguer Tyler Lyons, making a rehab start for Peoria, took the loss in his Midwest League debut. He allowed two runs on four hits in 2 2/3 innings.