COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps rallied in the middle innings, but a three-run ninth inning sealed the deal as part of a 7-4 loss to the Dayton Dragons Tuesday night at Fifth Ballpark.With the loss, West Michigan remains only one-half game out of a potential playoff spot
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps rallied in the middle innings, but a three-run ninth inning sealed the deal as part of a 7-4 loss to the Dayton Dragons Tuesday night at Fifth Ballpark.
With the loss, West Michigan remains only one-half game out of a potential playoff spot with twelve games left in the regular season.
Dayton starter Jared Solomon relinquished two runs in the opening frame and Whitecaps starter Jesus Rodriguez did the same in the Dayton second. Wenceel Perez provided an RBI-single, and Dylan Rosa drove a run in with a fielder's choice for the two early 'Caps runs. The game remained quiet offensively until the sixth inning. After Dayton plated two runs to take a 4-2 lead, West Michigan struck back in the bottom of the sixth and chased Solomon out of the game. With two runners on base, Chris Proctor responded with his biggest hit as a Whitecap -- a two-run double which knotted the Game at four in the sixth.
Whitecaps reliever Drew Crosby, part of a relief corps allowing an ERA of just 2.23 in the season's second half, gave up consecutive Dragons singles with one out in the top of the ninth inning. An ensuing fielder's choice, a single and a fielding error gave Dayton three runs and a huge 7-4 cushion. The Whitecaps loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth without the benefit of a base hit. Dylan Rosa represented the winning run at the plate, but a strikeout ended the contest and saw the 'Caps lose their ninth game over the last fourteen.
Crosby (0-1) absorbed the loss, allowing three earned runs in 2.2 innings. Rodriguez qualified for a quality start with six innings of six-hit, three-run baseball. Rodriguez struck out four. Wendolyn Bautista (5-6) picked up the win in 2.1 impressive innings of Dragons relief, allowing only one hit and three strikeouts. West Michigan falls to 63-64 overall and 27-30 in the Midwest League's second-half standings. Dayton improves to 24-34 in the second half and 55-71 in 2018.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue their three-game series against the Dayton Dragons at Fifth Third Ballpark on Wednesday at 7:05 pm. Pitcher Brad Bass gets the start for West Michigan against Dragons lefty Packy Naughton. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Mike Coleman starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:55 pm. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2018 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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