‘Caps Bats Fall Silent in 1-0 Loss
LANSING, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps enjoyed stellar pitching but had trouble finding a clutch base hit as part of a 1-0 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts on Thursday night at Jackson Field. The Whitecaps finished the ballgame stranding eight base runners in the contest, going a combined 0-for-8
LANSING, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps enjoyed stellar pitching but had trouble finding a clutch base hit as part of a 1-0 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts on Thursday night at Jackson Field.
The Whitecaps finished the ballgame stranding eight base runners in the contest, going a combined 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. West Michigan has scored one run or less in five of their last six games.
Whitecaps starting pitcher Chance Kirby returned to West Michigan and pitched five effective innings. The only run of the ballgame was plated in the fifth when Lugnuts designated hitter Shane Selman launched his tenth home run of the season to give Lansing the only run they needed. For the Lugnuts, lefty David Leal started and tossed two scoreless frames before Osvaldo Berrios pitched six scoreless innings in a phenomenal appearance while striking out three. Berrios’ first two innings watched him strand five runners on base, but he settled in to retire 10 of the last 11 batters he faced.
Berrios (1-0) earns his first win of the season, while Kirby (3-3) takes a tough-luck loss – his first since returning to the team and third with the ‘Caps this season. Brock Whittlesey tossed a scoreless ninth and stranded the potential tying run at third base to collect his fourth save. The Lugnuts record improves to 47-52, while the Whitecaps fall to 46-53. Austin Murr and Eliezer Alfonzo both recorded a pair of base hits in a losing cause.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps and Lugnuts continue this six-game series from Jackson Field on Friday at 7:05 pm. Southpaw Jack O’Loughlin gets the start for West Michigan against fellow lefty Jack Owen. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2021 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.