Whitecaps Burned by Dragons
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps couldn't muster any offense as Dayton Dragons pitching dominated in an 8-0 shutout in front of 6,069 fans Thursday night at LMCU Ballpark. Dragons pitcher Jacques Pucheu only allowed two hits through the first six innings while striking out seven as the
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps couldn't muster any offense as Dayton Dragons pitching dominated in an 8-0 shutout in front of 6,069 fans Thursday night at LMCU Ballpark.
Dragons pitcher Jacques Pucheu only allowed two hits through the first six innings while striking out seven as the 'Caps were unable to advance a runner as far as third base during the defeat.
The Dragons opened the scoring for the third game in a row, as Garrett Wolforth plated Francisco Urbaez on an RBI-single in the first inning to put Dayton in front 1-0. Quin Cotton extended the Dragons lead in the sixth inning with a two-run double to make it 3-0. The 'Caps reached a pair of runners in the seventh with just one out but failed to capitalize as Ulrich Bojarski popped out before Jimmy Kerr struck out to end the frame. The Dragons exploded for five runs through the seventh and eighth innings - highlighted by a pair of RBI-doubles from Reniel Ozuna and Juan Martinez - but Dragons closer Ricky Karcher finished the ballgame with a scoreless ninth to secure the Dayton victory.
Pucheu (4-1) notches his fourth win on the season with his quality start. Whitecaps starter Adam Wolf (3-3) tossed five innings, allowing three runs on four hits with five strikeouts in his fifth loss on the season. The Dragons improve to 42-38 on the year as the Whitecaps falls to 38-42. The Whitecaps need to win two of their final four games against the Dragons to secure their first series win since sweeping Lake County to conclude the month of May.
UP NEXT
This seven-game series between the Whitecaps and Dragons from LMCU Ballpark continues with a Friday night doubleheader beginning at 6:05 pm. West Michigan sends pitcher Reese Olson, acquired by the Detroit Tigers last week in a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers to the mound against Dragons pitcher Carson Spiers. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:00 pm. Get your tickets for all 2021 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.