2011 West Michigan Whitecaps (A) Schedule and Results

2011 West Michigan Whitecaps Season Tracker
Discuss your West Michigan Whitecaps!


GAME WRITE-UPS AT:
Entry Filed under: News Archives (link to be updated when available)


West Michigan Whitecaps (A)

FIRST HALF OF SEASON - WINS - 32, LOSSES - 37

(CLICK SCORE FOR BOX SCORE)

Click Here For Game Results Page

April 2011 (all times local unless noted)

7 @ Lansing, Postponed: Wet Grounds
8 @ Lansing, Postponed: Rain
8 @ Lansing, Postponed: Rain
9 @ Lansing, Postponed: Rain
9 @ Lansing, Postponed: Rain
10 vs. Lansing, W 13-12 (WP: B. Rondon) Recap Box
11 vs. Great Lakes, L 1-3 (LP: P. Cooper) Recap Box
12 vs. Great Lakes, W 3-2 (WP: B. Rondon) Recap Box
13 vs. Great Lakes, L 5-8 (LP: A. Cruz) Recap Box
14 vs. Great Lakes, L 1-3 (LP: J. Carreno) Recap Box
15 @ South Bend, Postponed: Rain
16 @ South Bend, Postponed: Rain
16 @ South Bend, Postponed: Rain
17 @ South Bend, W 8-1 (WP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
17 @ South Bend, W 6-3 (WP: M. Torrealba; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
18 vs. Fort Wayne, W 7-3 (WP: J. Ferrell) Recap Box
19 vs. Fort Wayne, Postponed: Rain
20 vs. Fort Wayne, W 5-2 (WP: S. Crnkovich; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
20 vs. Fort Wayne, W 5-1 (WP: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
21 vs. Lansing, L 3-5 (LP: C. Mendoza) Recap Box
22 vs. Lansing, L 1-4 (LP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
22 vs. Lansing, L 1-5 (LP: K. Eichhorn) Recap Box
23 vs. Lansing, L 1-6 (LP: J. Ferrell) Recap Box
25 @ Dayton, L 1-3 (LP: A. Cruz) Recap Box
26 @ Dayton, L 3-7 (LP: J. Carreno) Recap Box
27 @ Dayton, L 2-6 (LP: K. Eichhorn) Recap Box
28 @ Lansing, L 0-4 (LP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
28 @ Lansing, L 2-4 (LP: P. Cooper) Recap Box
29 vs. Lansing, L 6-12 (LP: R. Zumaya) Recap Box
30 vs. Lansing, L 0-2 (LP: A. Cruz) Recap Box

May 2011 (all times local unless noted)

1 @ Fort Wayne, L 7-13 (LP: J. Carreno) Recap Box
2 @ Fort Wayne, W 4-3 (WP: R. Lebron) Recap Box
3 @ Fort Wayne, L 0-2 (LP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
4 @ Great Lakes, L 0-4 (LP: B. Smith) Recap Box
5 @ Great Lakes, W 3-1 (WP: P. Cooper) Recap Box
6 @ Great Lakes, W 6-4 (WP: J. Carreno; SV: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
7 vs. Dayton, W 6-4 (WP: K. Eichhorn; SV: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
8 vs. Dayton, W 8-0 (WP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
9 vs. Dayton, W 5-4 (WP: D. Gentzler; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
10 vs. South Bend, L 1-6 (LP: A. Cruz) Recap Box
10 vs. South Bend, W 5-0 (WP: J. Ferrell) Recap Box
11 vs. South Bend, L 1-6 (LP: J. Carreno) Recap Box
12 vs. South Bend, W 5-3 (WP: K. Eichhorn; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
13 @ Lake County, L 1-2 (LP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
14 @ Lake County, Suspended: Rain (Completion on 5/28/11 at 6:00 PM)
15 @ Lake County, Postponed: Rain
16 OFF
17 @ Bowling Green, L 4-5 (LP: P. Cooper) Recap Box
18 @ Bowling Green, W 6-5 (WP: A. Cruz; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
19 @ Bowling Green, L 4-5 (LP: P. Cooper) Recap Box
19 @ Bowling Green, L 4-5 (LP: J. Carreno) Recap Box
20 vs. Fort Wayne, L 1-8 (LP: K. Eichhorn) Recap Box
21 vs. Fort Wayne, L 7-9 (LP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
22 vs. Fort Wayne, W 2-1 (WP: B. Smith; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
23 vs. Fort Wayne, L 2-4 (LP: D. Gentzler) Recap Box
24 vs. Bowling Green, L 2-10 (LP: J. Carreno) Recap Box
25 vs. Bowling Green, Postponed: Rain
26 vs. Bowling Green, W 6-3 (WP: K. Eichhorn) Recap Box
26 vs. Bowling Green, L 2-3 (LP: D. Gentzler) Recap Box
27 @ Lake County, L 1-3 (LP: B. Smith) Recap Box
28 @ Lake County, L 1-3 (LP: B. Smith) Recap Box
28 @ Lake County, W 5-2 (WP: P. Cooper; SV: L. Hoch) Recap Box
29 @ Lake County, L 1-3 (LP: A. Cruz) Recap Box
30 @ Lake County, W 5-0 (WP: J. Carrenol) Recap Box
30 @ Lake County, L 3-4 (LP: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
31 vs. Quad Cities, L 4-5 (LP: B. Rondon) Recap Box

June 2011 (all times local unless noted)

1 vs. Quad Cities, L 2-3 (LP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
2 vs. Quad Cities, L 3-5 (LP: D. Gentzler) Recap Box
3 vs. Cedar Rapids, W 5-4 (WP: N. Newman) Recap Box
4 vs. Cedar Rapids, W 6-1 (WP: J. Carreno) Recap Box
5 vs. Cedar Rapids, W 10-3 (WP: P. Cooper) Recap Box
6 OFF
7 @ Peoria, W 4-1 (WP: M. Torrealba; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
8 @ Peoria, W 10-9 (WP: R. Lebron; SV: A. Cruz) Recap Box
9 @ Peoria, W 3-1 (WP: A. Burgos; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
10 @ Burlington, W 5-4 (WP: J. Carreno; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
11 @ Burlington, W 9-2 (WP: K. Eichhorn) Recap Box
12 @ Burlington, W 14-5 (WP: K. Ryan; SV: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
13 OFF
14 @ Bowling Green, L 4-8 (LP: B. Smith) Recap Box
15 @ Bowling Green, L 0-1 (LP: A. Burgos) Recap Box
16 @ Bowling Green, L 2-5 (LP: J. Carreno) Recap Box
17 vs. Lake County, W 2-0 (WP: K. Eichhorn; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
18 vs. Lake County, W 6-5 (WP: M. Torrealba; SV: R. Lebron) Recap Box
19 vs. Lake County, L 5-10 (LP: P. Cooper) Recap Box
20 OFF
21 West vs East, 8:05 PM, MWL All-Star Game at Davenport, IA
22 OFF
23 OFF
24 @ South Bend, W 2-1 (WP: A. Burgos; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
25 @ South Bend, L 2-3 (LP: R. Lebron) Recap Box
26 @ South Bend, W 3-0 (WP: B. Flynn; SV: N. Newman) Recap Box
27 vs. South Bend, L 2-4 (LP: L. Hoch) Recap Box
28 vs. South Bend, L 1-7 (LP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
29 vs. South Bend, W 2-1 (WP: A. Burgos; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
30 vs. Fort Wayne, W 4-3 (WP: A. Cruz; LP: A. Dominick) Recap Box
(Completion on 7/1/11 at 6:00 PM)

2011 West Michigan Whitecaps Season Tracker
Discuss your West Michigan Whitecaps!

SECOND HALF - WINS - 38, LOSSES - 32

SEASON STATS - WINS - 70, LOSSES - 69

GAME WRITE-UPS AT:
Entry Filed under: News Archives (link to be updated when available)


West Michigan Whitecaps (A)
SECOND HALF OF SEASON

(CLICK SCORE FOR BOX SCORE)

Click Here For Game Results Page

July 2011 (all times local unless noted)

1 vs. Fort Wayne, W 4-3 (WP: A. Cruz)
1 vs. Fort Wayne, W 16-11 (WP: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
2 vs. Fort Wayne, W 4-2 (WP: K. Eichhorn; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
3 @ Fort Wayne, L 1-2 (LP: P. Cooper) Recap Box
4 @ Fort Wayne, W 4-3 (WP: R. Lebron; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
5 @ Fort Wayne, L 4-5 (LP: J. Carreno) Recap Box
6 @ Lansing, L 0-11 (LP: B. Flynn) Recap Box
7 @ Lansing, W 8-5 (WP: K. Eichhorn; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
8 @ Lansing, L 1-2 (LP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
9 vs. Bowling Green, W 11-3 (WP: A. Burgos; SV: P. Cooper) Recap Box
10 vs. Bowling Green, L 7-11 (LP: J. Carreno) Recap Box
11 vs. Bowling Green, W 4-2 (WP: B. Flynn; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
13 @ Wisconsin, W 7-5 (WP: P. Cooper) Recap Box
14 @ Wisconsin, L 1-2 (LP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
15 @ Wisconsin, W 5-4 (WP: C. Mendoza) Recap Box
16 @ Beloit, W 5-2 (WP: J. Carreno; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
17 @ Beloit, L 2-3 (LP: A. Cruz) Recap Box
18 @ Beloit, L 3-16 (LP: V. Larez) Recap Box
20 vs. Kane County, L 6-7 (LP: J. Todd) Recap Box
21 vs. Kane County, L 6-7 (LP: B. Rondon) Recap Box
22 vs. Kane County, W 4-1 (WP: A. Burgos; SV: J. Carreno) Recap Box
23 vs. Clinton, W 2-1 (WP: J. Todd) Recap Box
24 vs. Clinton, W 6-4 (WP: V. Larez; SV: N. Newman) Recap Box
25 vs. Clinton, L 3-4 (LP: C. Mendoza) Recap Box
26 OFF
27 vs. Lansing, Postponed: Rain
28 vs. Lansing, L 4-8 (LP: C. Mendoza) Recap Box
28 vs. Lansing, L 2-3 (LP: A. Burgos) Recap Box
29 vs. Lansing, W 6-5 (WP: P. Cooper; SV: B. Rondon) Recap Box
30 @ South Bend, W 6-4 (WP: B. Flynn; SV: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
31 @ South Bend, L 1-3 (LP: V. Larez) Recap Box

August 2011 (all times local unless noted)

1 @ South Bend, W 6-1 (WP: K. Eichhorn) Recap Box
2 @ Dayton, W 9-6 (WP: A. Burgos; SV: N. Newman) Recap Box
3 @ Dayton, L 2-3 (LP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
4 @ Dayton, L 1-10 (LP: J. Carreno) Recap Box
5 @ Dayton, W 3-2 (WP: B. Flynn; SV: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
6 vs. Great Lakes, W 5-4 (WP: V. Larez; SV: D. Bennett) Recap Box
7 vs. Great Lakes, W 6-3 (WP: K. Eichhorn; SV: R. Woolley) Recap Box
8 vs. Great Lakes, L 2-7 (LP: A. Burgos) Recap Box
9 vs. Great Lakes, W 4-3 (WP: D. Bennett) Recap Box
10 vs. Dayton, L 3-5 (LP: K. Hess) Recap Box
11 vs. Dayton, L 2-7 (LP: B. Flynn) Recap Box
12 vs. Dayton, W 10-5 (WP: V. Larez) Recap Box
13 @ Great Lakes, L 2-3 (LP: K. Eichhorn) Recap Box
14 @ Great Lakes, W 3-2 (WP: K. Hess; SV: J. Todd) Recap Box
15 @ Great Lakes, L 0-1 (LP: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
16 OFF
17 @ Fort Wayne, W 8-4 (WP: B. Flynn; SV: D. Bennett) Recap Box
18 @ Fort Wayne, L 2-11 (LP: B. Stroud) Recap Box
19 @ Fort Wayne, L 2-10 (LP: K. Eichhorn) Recap Box
20 vs. South Bend, L 3-5 (LP: A. Burgos) Recap Box
21 vs. South Bend, W 2-0 (WP: K. Ryan; SV: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
22 vs. South Bend, W 2-1 (WP: B. Flynn; SV: J. Todd) Recap Box
23 vs. South Bend, W 3-2 (WP: R. Woolley; SV: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
24 vs. Lake County, W 2-1 (WP: J. Todd) Recap Box
25 vs. Lake County, W 1-0 (WP: D. Bennett) Recap Box
26 vs. Lake County, W 4-2 (WP: J. Carreno; SV: R. Woolley) Recap Box
27 @ Dayton, L 0-2 (LP: K. Ryan) Recap Box
28 @ Dayton, L 0-6 (LP: B. Stroud) Recap Box
29 @ Dayton, W 5-1 (WP: K. Eichhorn; SV: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
30 @ Dayton, L 2-3 (LP: D. Bennett) Recap Box
31 @ Lake County, W 7-3 (WP: B. Flynn) Recap Box

September 2011 (all times local unless noted)

1 @ Lake County, W 7-2 (WP: J. Carreno; SV: D. Bennett) Recap Box
2 @ Lake County, W 3-0 (WP: K. Ryan; SV: M. Torrealba) Recap Box
3 vs. Fort Wayne, L 5-6 (LP: P. Cooper) Recap Box
4 vs. Fort Wayne, W 10-3 (WP: K. Eichhorn) Recap Box
5 vs. Fort Wayne, L 2-7 (LP: A. Burgos) Recap Box

RESERVED

UNPLAYABLE FIELD CONDITIONS POSTPONE OPENER
04/07/2011 8:01 PM ET

LANSING, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps will have to wait for another day to start the 2011 season.

Thursday's scheduled opener in Lansing was postponed due to unplayable field conditions. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Friday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. as the Whitecaps and Lugnuts play a pair of seven-inning games.

Thursday's postponement was caused by a sudden and unexpected abundance of moisture on the infield. The infield dirt on the right side became soaked as the teams began to stretch and warm up in the afternoon, and the Lugnuts' groundscrew spent the next few hours trying to dry it out. After a delay of approximately a half-hour, the game was officially postponed.

After playing the first three games of the opening series in Lansing, the 'Caps will open the home portion of their schedule against Lugnuts with a 1:00 p.m. start on Sunday, April 10, at Fifth Third Ballpark. Gates will open early at 11:00 a.m. for the home-opener, which will feature a Knit Hat giveaway for the first 1,000 fans courtesy of Fifth Third Bank and a full slate of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Family Day festivities, including Bob Evans kids-run-the-bases post-game. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Box »
POOR FIELD CONDITIONS IN LANSING STRIKE AGAIN
04/08/2011 5:26 PM ET

LANSING, MI - For the second consecutive day, the West Michigan Whitecaps' scheduled season-opener was postponed due to unplayable field conditions at Cooley Law School Stadium in Lansing on Friday.

The 2011 season was supposed to get underway on Thursday night, but a mysterious surplus of moisture began to surface on the infield approximately four hours before game time. A doubleheader was set for Friday, but as the scheduled 5:05 p.m. first pitch approached it became clear that the soggy infield was still not playable.

The two clubs will try to kick off the new season again on Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled for 2:05 p.m. It is anticipated that the Whitecaps will send LHP Kyle Ryan to the mound for game one and RHP Clemente Mendoza for game two, as they were scheduled to do on Friday. The Lugnuts are expected to counter with RHP Casey Lawrence for the opener and RHP Daniel Webb for the nightcap.

At this point, no decision has been made regarding a makeup date or time for the second postponed game.

The Whitecaps are scheduled to open the home portion of their schedule against the Lugnuts with a 1:00 p.m. start on Sunday, April 10, at Fifth Third Ballpark. Gates will open early at 11:00 a.m. for the home-opener, which will feature a Knit Hat giveaway for the first 1,000 fans courtesy of Fifth Third Bank and a full slate of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Family Day festivities, including Bob Evans kids-run-the-bases post-game. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Box »
THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT FOR 'CAPS IN LANSING
04/09/2011 1:00 PM ET

LANSING, MI - For the third consecutive day, the West Michigan Whitecaps' scheduled season-opener was postponed due to unplayable field conditions at Cooley Law School Stadium in Lansing on Saturday.

Now, the two clubs will open the season at Fifth Third Ballpark on Sunday afternoon.

The 1:00 p.m. home-opener for the Whitecaps was originally slated to be the finale of the four-game series after the first three contests in Lansing, but due to the three consecutive season-opening postponements it has suddenly become Opening Day for both clubs.

The poor field conditions first presented themselves on Thursday afternoon approximately four hours before scheduled first pitch for the originally scheduled Opening Night. A mysterious surplus of moisture - later determined to be the thawing ground - began surfacing on the right side of the infield. The soggy infield lingered throughout the weekend as Lansing experienced overcast conditions with little sunshine, wiping out the opener on Thursday in addition to makeup doubleheaders scheduled for Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

With the shift of the series to West Michigan on Sunday, the Whitecaps are optimistic that the 2011 season will finally get underway.

Two of the missed games will be made up as part of doubleheaders scheduled for April 22 in West Michigan and April 28 in Lansing. The third game will not be made up.

As the pitching rotations continue to be pushed back, Sunday's season-opener is slated to pit Whitecaps' LHP Kyle Ryan against Lugnuts' RHP Casey Lawrence for the 1:00 p.m. start on Sunday, April 10, at Fifth Third Ballpark. Gates will open early at 11:00 a.m. for the home-opener, which will feature a Knit Hat giveaway for the first 1,000 fans courtesy of Fifth Third Bank and a full slate of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Family Day festivities, including Bob Evans kids-run-the-bases post-game. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Box »
'CAPS SLUG THEIR WAY TO COME-FROM-BEHIND, OPENING DAY VICTORY
04/10/2011 5:18 PM ET

LANSING, MI - For the West Michigan Whitecaps, Opening Day is not for the faint of heart.

After three consecutive false starts in trying to get the 2011 season underway in Lansing, the West Michigan Whitecaps treated the home crowd of 7,738 to a wild, 13-12 come-from-behind victory over the Lansing Lugnuts on an unseasonably warm, 79-degree Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark.

After a back-and-forth early going, the 'Caps found themselves trailing 12-7 before a pair of late home runs closed the gap.

In the bottom of the seventh, Luis Castillo started the comeback with a two-run homer over the right field fence. One inning later, James Robbins left the crowd buzzing with a mammoth three-run blast to right-center that bounced off the back of the canopy covering the Miller Light House Deck. Suddenly, the game was even at 12 runs apiece.

Bruce Rondon (1-0) came in for the top of the ninth, mowing through the bottom of the Lugnuts' order with two strikeouts in an impressive 1-2-3 inning that helped preserve the 'Caps' momentum.

West Michigan finished the comeback in the bottom of the ninth, sparked by a leadoff walk to Castillo. He was replaced at first base by Dixon Machado after an unsuccessful sacrifice bunt attempt, and Machado proceeded to steal second. With two outs and a runner in scoring position, Rob Brantly smacked a looping liner into center field that narrowly snuck beneath the glove of a diving Jake Marisnick, allowing Machado to scamper home with the game-winning run.

Brantly's walk-off single capped a 2-for-4 day that also included a two-run double in the sixth inning. Brantly, Castillo and Robbins each drove in three runs while Machado went 4-fo-5 with a stolen base and three runs scored.

Lansing's Dayton Marze (0-1) suffered the blown save and the loss, charged with four runs on three hits over the final 2.1 innings.

The early action was equally dizzying.

The Lugnuts jumped in front in the top of the first, taking advantage of a dropped fly ball to plate a pair of unearned runs for a 2-0 lead. West Michigan came roaring back with runs in each of their first three innings, taking a 5-3 lead after three innings of play.

Lansing regained control with four consecutive singles to open the top of the fourth, crossing the plate five times in the inning to build an 8-5 advantage. After Brantly's two-run double in the sixth cut the deficit to just one run, the Lugnuts rallied for another four runs in the seventh - highlighted by Michael Crouse's three-run homer - to build a 12-7 edge.

But the Whitecaps never stopped fighting, ultimately scoring the final six runs of the game to snatch the 13-12 victory.

The Whitecaps continue their season-opening homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with a four-game series against Great Lakes starting on Monday with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch. RHP Kevin Eichhorn is scheduled to start for West Michigan against RHP Garrett Gould of the Loons. Promotions will recognize the 57th anniversary of the most boring day in history in addition to a JQ 99 All Faith's Night. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Box »
WHITECAPS FALL TO GREAT LAKES, 3-1
04/11/2011 10:02 PM ET

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - After a wild Opening Day win on Sunday afternoon, the West Michigan Whitecaps came back down to earth with a 3-1 loss to the Great Lakes Loons on Monday evening at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (1-1) and Great Lakes (3-2) traded scoreless frames for most of the night, with all of the offense for both clubs coming in the sixth inning.

The game was scoreless until the Loons jumped out in front thanks to four consecutive two-out hits in the top of the sixth. Whitecaps' reliever Patrick Cooper struck out the first two batters of the inning before Nick Akins smacked a double to right-center and Chris Henderson rolled a tie-breaking single through the right side of the infield. Jon Garcia followed with an RBI-double to right-center and Michael Pericht drove him in with a liner up the middle, capping the rally and staking Great Lakes to a 3-0 lead.

West Michigan scored their only run in the bottom half of the inning. Hernan Perez led off with a single to left and advanced to second when the outfielder bobbled the ball. After he moved to third on a groundout, Ryan Enos bounced an infield single up the middle that pulled the 'Caps to within 3-1.

The bullpens took over from there.

Ramon Lebron and Michael Torrealba combined for 3.1 hitless innings of relief the rest of the way for West Michigan, while Pete Budkevics and Shawn Tolleson fired off three scoreless frames for Great Lakes. Tolleson (2) earned the save with three strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Garrett Gould (1-0) earned the win with a solid starting performance for the Loons, tossing six innings and allowing just one run on four hits. Cooper (0-1) suffered the loss, striking out three but giving up three runs on four hits in 1.2 innings of work.

Kevin Eichhorn started and threw four scoreless frames for the Whitecaps, making his first start in the Tigers' organization since being acquired as part of the Armando Galaragga trade in January. The right-hander allowed just two hits while fanning two and walking a pair. He retired 10 of the first 11 batters that he faced before running into trouble in the fourth, but was able to work out of the bases-loaded, one-out jam to temporarily preserve the shutout.

The Whitecaps continue their season-opening homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with the second game of a four-game series against Great Lakes on Tuesday at Noon. RHP Jeff Ferrell is scheduled to start for West Michigan against RHP Red Patterson of the Loons. The contest will be one of five DTE Energy Savings Days over the course of the season, as well as a Fat Tuesday and Senior Night. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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WHITECAPS USE LATE RALLY TO EVEN SERIES
04/12/2011 3:28 PM ET

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps rallied for all three of their runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on Tuesday afternoon, pulling the rug out from under the Great Lakes Loons with a 3-2 comeback victory at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (2-1) stayed in the game due to excellent pitching, as three hurlers combined to strike out 11 batters without allowing an earned run. Great Lakes (3-3) also got a great performance from starter Red Patterson, who retired the first 13 batters he faced in order and twirled 6.1 scoreless innings before giving way to the bullpen.

The Whitecaps went into the eighth inning trailing 2-0 and having advanced just one runner to scoring position. Jimmy Gulliver started the decisive rally by drawing a one-out walk and moved to third when Luis Castillo sliced a double the other way that bounced inside the left field line.

There were two outs and men at second and third when the Loons brought in southpaw reliever Brant Stickel to face the lefty-swinging Ryan Enos, whose costly earlier in the game helped Great Lakes to their 2-0 lead. After working the count to 3-1, Enos made up for his previous miscue by bouncing a game-tying, two-run single up the middle. Two batters later, he trotted home with the game-winning run on a groundball single by James Robbins.

The 3-2 lead stood up in the ninth thanks to Bruce Rondon (2-0), who earned his second win in as many appearances with three strikeouts over 1.1 hitless innings of relief. Though he made things interesting with a pair of two out walks, the 20-year-old flame-thrower quelled the rally by striking out Michael Pericht for the final out.

Early on, the Whitecaps spotted the Loons a two-run lead in the top of the first. Blake Dean launched a high fly ball to right field with two outs that was dropped by Enos on the warning track, and Nick Akins followed with a two-run homer.

The lead stood up until the eighth thanks to Patterson's performance, but the 'Caps stayed in striking distance due to their own strong pitching.

Starter Jeff Ferrell's only blemish was the home run, as the 20-year-old right-hander struck out six without issuing a walk over five solid frames. He allowed four hits and two unearned runs before giving way to Richard Zumaya, who threw 2.2 innings of hitless baseball and fanned a pair in his first outing of the year.

As a result, the 2-0 score remained unchanged until West Michigan's game-winning rally in the last of the eighth.

The Whitecaps continue their season-opening homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with the third game of a four-game series against Great Lakes on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. LHP Antonio Cruz is scheduled to start for West Michigan against top-flight prospect RHP Zach Lee of the Loons. It will be a Wellness Wednesday presented by Priority Health, offering $2 discounts for reserved seats to fans showing a Priority Health card at the box office. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Box »
'CAPS LATE RALLY FALLS SHORT
04/13/2011 10:34 PM ET

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps were done in by a six-run seventh inning in Wednesday night's 8-5 loss to the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (2-2) committed multiple errors for a fourth straight game, but refused to go away and mounted a late surge that brought the potential game-tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth. Great Lakes (4-3) had too big of a lead to overcome, however, thanks to a seventh-inning outburst in which the first eight batters of the inning reached base and the first six came around to score.

The Loons led by a 2-1 margin before the decisive seventh-inning rally.

Casio Grider led off the inning by smacking a long fly ball off the wall in center field, racing around the bases for a triple and scoring when Edwin Gomez failed to pick up the baseball cleanly. Christian Lara followed with a single and came around to score after Blake Dean doubled to right and Gomez was charged with his second error of the frame trying to pick up the ball. Leon Landry added a run-scoring triple, Jon Garcia and Jesse Bosnick chipped it with RBI-singles, and Roman Pena capped the rally by scoring on a wild pitch for an 8-1 lead.

The Whitecaps tried to fight their way back into the game.

Nick Castellanos drove in his first run of the year with an RBI-single in the eighth and Hernan Perez blasted a solo homer with one out in the ninth. Later in the final frame, James Robbins and Castellanos clubbed back-to-back doubles to pull to within 8-5. After Ryan Enos drew a walk to put two men aboard with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the 'Caps suddenly had the potential game-tying run at the plate.

Loons' closer Shawn Tolleson (3) came in and quickly stamped out the comeback bid, however, striking out Gomez on three pitches to end the game.

Zach Lee (1-0) earned his first professional win for Great Lakes, fanning seven over five innings and allowing just one run. Antonio Cruz (0-1) suffered the loss for West Michigan, yielding two runs on four hits over 3.1 frames.

The Whitecaps wrap up their season-opening homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with the finale of a four-game series against Great Lakes on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. RHP Josue Carreno is scheduled to start for West Michigan against RHP Tim Sexton of the Loons. Food and beverage specials will rule the day on an Altogas Thrifty Thursday, while $5 reserved tickets will be offered to those with military ID's or those that work or go to school in the OK Gold conference. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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WHITECAPS LOSE GAME, SERIES TO GREAT LAKES
04/14/2011 9:49 PM ET

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps dropped the game and the series to the Great Lakes Loons on Thursday night, losing by a 3-1 score at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (2-3) struggled to get anything going against Loons starter Tim Sexton, who fanned seven and allowed just one run on three hits over seven strong innings. Meanwhile, Great Lakes (5-3) scored all three of their runs on sacrifice flies to slowly build their lead.

The Loons pushed across an unearned run in the top of the fifth to start the scoring. Roman Pena led off and sent a bouncer to third, but reached base safely when an errant throw pulled the first baseman off the bag. After advancing to third on a single, Pena scored the game's first run on a sacrifice fly by Chris Henderson.

Great Lakes added to the lead with singles runs in the sixth and eighth. They had the bases loaded with nobody out in the sixth when Blake Dean delivered a sacrifice fly, but the Whitecaps were able to escape further damage. Two innings later, Casio Grider tripled with one out and scored on Leon Landry's fly ball for a 3-0 advantage.

West Michigan got their only run in the bottom of the eighth, sparked by a leadoff single by Edwin Gomez. After Hernan Perez drew a two-out walk, Rob Brantly ripped a run-scoring single through the right side to make it a 3-1 ballgame.

Josue Carreno (0-1) suffered the loss despite allowing just one earned run (two total) on three hits over 5.1 innings. He issued five walks while striking out one and inducing a pair of groundball double plays.

Shawn Tolleson (4) earned his third save of the series by striking out the side in the ninth.

The Whitecaps hit the road for a three-game series in South Bend beginning with a 6:30 p.m. start on Friday night. LHP Kyle Ryan (0-0, 12.27) is scheduled to take the hill against RHP Bradin Hagens (0-0, 8.31) of the Silver Hawks. The 'Caps will return to Fifth Third Ballpark on Monday, April 18, to start a seven-game, six-day homestand with a 6:35 p.m. game against Fort Wayne featuring WirelessRevolutions/Sprint Night and a JQ 99 FM All Faiths Night. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

WHITECAPS RAINED OUT IN SOUTH BEND
04/15/2011 7:36 PM ET

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The scheduled game between the West Michigan Whitecaps and South Bend Silver Hawks was postponed due to rain on Friday evening.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 4:30 p.m. and featuring a pair of seven-inning games.

The 'Caps will return to Fifth Third Ballpark on Monday, April 18, to start a seven-game, six-day homestand with a 6:35 p.m. game against Fort Wayne featuring WirelessRevolutions/Sprint Night and a JQ 99 FM All Faiths Night. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

WHITECAPS ROAD SHOW POSTPONED AGAIN
04/16/2011 4:15 PM ET

SOUTH BEND, IN - It seems as if Mother Nature simply does not want the West Michigan Whitecaps to leave Fifth Third Ballpark.

For the second consecutive day, the Whitecaps and South Bend Silver Hawks were rained out at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium on Saturday. Coupled with last weekend's three-game series in Lansing that was wiped out due to unplayable field conditions, the Whitecaps' first five scheduled road games of the season have now been either postponed or cancelled.

The Whitecaps and Silver Hawks are scheduled to make up one of the postponements with a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. The twin bill will feature two seven-inning games, with the probable pitching match-ups consisting of LHP Kyle Ryan against RHP Bradin Hagens in the opener and RHP Kevin Eichhorn against RHP J.R. Bradley in the nightcap.

A second doubleheader will likely be scheduled when South Bend comes to West Michigan for a three-game series from May 10-12.

The 'Caps will return to Fifth Third Ballpark on Monday, April 18, to start a seven-game, six-day homestand with a 6:35 p.m. game against Fort Wayne featuring WirelessRevolutions/Sprint Night and a JQ 99 FM All Faiths Night. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.