Whitecaps Drop Third Straight
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps couldn't generate any offense as they struggled to string hits together in a 4-0 shutout to the Lake County Captains in front of 7,460 fans Wednesday afternoon at LMCU Ballpark. West Michigan managed just two hits as the Captains held the 'Caps
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps couldn't generate any offense as they struggled to string hits together in a 4-0 shutout to the Lake County Captains in front of 7,460 fans Wednesday afternoon at LMCU Ballpark.
West Michigan managed just two hits as the Captains held the 'Caps to an 0-for-10 mark with runners in scoring position, leaving eight runners on base in the defeat.
The Captains scored in the first inning as a dropped fly ball allowed two runners to cross the plate, taking the early 2-0 lead. The 'Caps advanced runners to first and second base with no outs in the second inning but couldn't convert, as Captains shortstop Juan Brito blasted a solo homer in the bottom half, extending the lead to 3-0. Lake County starting pitcher Reid Johnston enjoyed his best start of the season, allowing just two hits while striking out eight batters in six innings of work as Brito added a sacrifice fly in the seventh - increasing the advantage to 4-0. The Whitecaps failed to rally the last two frames as Captains relievers Alaska Abney and Lenny Torres Jr. combined for two shutout innings with five strikeouts to complete the 4-0 win.
The Captains improve to 22-19 as the Whitecaps fall to 22-19 and are now tied with Lake County for second place in the Midwest League East division - sitting 3.5 games behind the Great Lakes Loons for first place. Johnston (4-1) secures his fourth win as 'Caps starter Carlos Pena (0-3) allowed three runs (only one earned) with a pair of strikeouts through five innings in his third loss. 7,460 fans attended the Wednesday morning contest - making it the second-biggest home attendance of the 2023 season.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps move this six-game series with the Lake County Captains to Thursday night LMCU Ballpark at 6:35pm. Pitchers Garrett Burhenn and Aaron Davenport get the starts for West Michigan and Lake County. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.