‘Caps Rally for Doubleheader Split
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps bullpen struggled in game one, falling in extra innings 7-6 before staging a seventh-inning rally in game two to walk off the Dayton Dragons 4-3 with a Luis Santana RBI-single in front of 5,303 fans Friday night at LMCU Ballpark. WATCH: LUIS
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps bullpen struggled in game one, falling in extra innings 7-6 before staging a seventh-inning rally in game two to walk off the Dayton Dragons 4-3 with a Luis Santana RBI-single in front of 5,303 fans Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.
WATCH: LUIS SANTANA’S WALK-OFF SINGLE IN EXTRA INNINGS
The Dragons finished 5-for-9 with runners in scoring position in the first game, including a five-run sixth inning and a go-ahead home run to steal the victory. In game two, the 'Caps broke up a no-hitter going into the sixth as they drew four walks in the seventh before delivering the final blow in extra frames to earn the doubleheader split.
West Michigan got off to a hot start in the first game, as Izaac Pacheco collected an RBI single before Dillon Paulson added a solo home run, taking the 2-0 lead. The 'Caps added to their total in the fourth, as Carlos Mendoza scored Lazaro Benitez and Dom Johnson on a single into left field, increasing the advantage to 4-0. Dayton exploded for five runs in the sixth - featuring a go-ahead two-run home run by Tyler Callihan - storming in front 5-4. The Whitecaps responded in the bottom of the seventh, as Dayton tried to turn a double play, but an errant throw to first base allowed Johnson to score, evening the score at 5-5. The Dragons retook the lead in the eighth, as Callihan and Ashton Creal added RBI singles to make it 7-5. The 'Caps trimmed the lead with an RBI single from Eliezer Alfonzo in the eighth but couldn't complete the rally, as Dragons closer Owen Holt induced a flyout to finish the 7-6 victory.
The Dragons scored first in the nightcap with three runs in the third as Dayton drew pair of bases-loaded walks before Austin Hendrick lifted a sacrifice fly, 3-0. Dragons starter Chris McElvain tossed five shutout innings without a hit and two strikeouts, carrying a perfect game into the fifth and maintaining the 3-0 advantage. The 'Caps broke out in the seventh, as Pacheco blasted a solo home run before a pair of two-out, bases-loaded walks to Jung and Brady Allen leveled the game at 3-3. Meanwhile, Whitecaps reliever Cam Brown tallied six strikeouts through two scoreless innings before Gabe Sequeira added a scoreless frame in the eighth with two punchouts, maintaining the 3-3 tie. Down to their final out in the bottom of the eighth, Luis Santana lifted a bloop single into left field to score Johnson and deliver the Whitecaps their first walk-off win of the season, 4-3.
The Whitecaps are now 36-36 and 4-3 in the second half, while the Dragons are 38-35 and 5-2 in the second half. In game one, Holt (3-2) collected his third victory, allowing two runs through two innings, while 'Caps reliever Bryce Tassin (1-3) suffered his third loss, allowing two runs through an inning pitched. In the second game, Sequeira (1-0) collected his first victory of the year with a scoreless eighth inning, while Dragons reliever Myles Gayman (5-2) suffered his second loss, allowing the game-winning run to cross in the eighth. The Whitecaps enjoy their first walk-off victory since Jake Holton delivered a game-winning RBI in a 5-4 win over the Great Lakes Loons in the 2022 season finale.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps and Dayton Dragons move this series to a Saturday contest beginning at 7:05 pm. Whitecaps pitcher Garrett Burhenn gets the start against Dayton. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network beginning at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.