'Caps Fall in First Half Finale, 7-1
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps struggles with runners in scoring position continued as a pair of critical errors led to a 7-1 loss to the Dayton Dragons on the final night of the first half of the 2024 regular season in front of 5,482 fans on Thursday
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps struggles with runners in scoring position continued as a pair of critical errors led to a 7-1 loss to the Dayton Dragons on the final night of the first half of the 2024 regular season in front of 5,482 fans on Thursday at LMCU Ballpark.
The Whitecaps committed two errors in the ballgame – leading to three unearned runs. At the same time, West Michigan couldn’t take advantage of multiple run-scoring opportunities, finishing 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position while striking out ten times in the 7-1 defeat.
Dragons shortstop Victor Acosta broke the scoreless tie in the top of the second inning with an RBI double, scoring Hector Rodriguez and putting Dayton in front 1-0. The Whitecaps responded quickly, as designated hitter Danny Serretti lifted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 1-1. Dayton broke the tie again with two runs in the top of the third as Dragons designated hitter Carlos Jorge snuck a two-run base hit down the right field line, jumping in front 3-1. Dragons reliever Joseph Menefee tossed four scoreless innings with six punchouts out of the pen as the offense piled on four insurance runs in the top of the seventh – highlighted by an RBI triple from catcher Cade Hunter – expanding their lead to 7-1. The Whitecaps put runners on first and third with just one out in the ninth but couldn’t capitalize, as Dragons closer Pedro Alfonseca induced a popout and a strikeout to end the game and deliver West Michigan the 7-1 loss.
The Dragons finish the first half of the season 34-32, while the Whitecaps finish 31-35. Menefee (2-2) gets his second win of the year with his four scoreless innings of work, while ‘Caps starter Carlos Marcano (1-6) suffers his sixth loss, allowing three runs (one earned) through six innings on the mound. The Whitecaps have lost five straight games – tying their longest losing streak of the season. Meanwhile, Marcano becomes the first Whitecaps pitcher to last six innings in multiple starts this year. The ‘Caps are hitting just .205 with runners in scoring position this season and .192 in those same situations with two outs -- the second-lowest marks among Midwest League teams.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps move this six-game series with the Dayton Dragons to Thursday at 6:35 pm. Pitcher Jaden Hamm takes the mound for West Michigan against Dayton righty Ryan Cardona. To catch all the action, tune into the broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 pm on 106.1 FM ‘The Ticket’ and 1340 WJRW-AM in Grand Rapids. Don’t miss out on the excitement; get your tickets for all 2024 home contests, or listen to the games live at whitecapsbaseball.com.