[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter scoring three runs late in the game, including two in the seventh, the West Michigan Whitecaps were able to power back from a two-run deficit to beat the Dayton Dragons 5-4 Thursday night for Opening Day.
The comeback started in the seventh when the Whitecaps were down 4-2. Javier Betancourt stepped up to the plate with runners at first (Austin Schotts) and second (Jose Zambrano) to hit a bouncing ball to Dragons’ shortstop Carlton Daal. Daal overthrew the ball, letting it sail into right field as Zambrano scored and Schotts reached third.
Tyler Gibson then helped even things up with a ground out that saw Schotts reach home plate.
The Whitecaps would finally take the lead in the ninth, when Zambrano sparked a game winning drive. After reaching first on a one-out single, he took second off an errant pickoff attempt. Schotts hit a single that helped Zambrano get to third, and then followed that up by reaching home plate off a wild pitch for the 5-4 lead.
The Dragons gave the ‘Caps some trouble to finish out the game, including a bunt for a single and a deep fly ball to left-center, but Montreal Robertson helped secure the victory from the mound.
Robertson made his first save since 2011 with his performance in the final inning. Scott Sitz earned the victory on the mound for the Whitecaps after he retired all six batters he faced in the seventh and eighth innings.
Chad Green, who started for the Whitecaps, pitched four innings and gave up five hits and four runs, including a two-run homer in the first with an ERA of 9.oo. The ‘Caps bullpen pitched a five-inning shutout for the win.
The Whitecaps and Dragons will play game two of their four-game series in Dayton tonight, with first pitch at 7 p.m. The first-round pick Jonathon Crawford (RHP) will make the start for the ‘Caps in his Midwest League debut.
