A Timber Rattlers runner slides into first base. The Rattlers beat the ‘Caps, 3-0. Photo/Brady Linick
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] three-run performance in the ninth inning doomed the West Michigan Whitecaps to a 3-0 loss Thursday afternoon when the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers capitalized on pitching mistakes and errors.
The Whitecaps (3-4) and Rattlers (4-3) entered the final inning scoreless. Chad Green, who pitched the first seven innings in a stellar outing, was relieved in the eighth by Matt Davenport, who faced issues in the ninth. Francisco Castillo started the game winning rally for the Rattlers with a single to center field for a single. After a lineout in the next at-bat, Taylor Brennan reached base on a bouncer that first baseman Dominic Ficociello mishandled, resulting in an infield error.
Troubles continued when Montreal Robertson came to the mound in favor of Davenport. Robertson faced runners on first and second with one out before throwing his first pitch of the game. The hard-throwing right hander watched the game slip away off his first two pitches.
Wisconsin celebrates after breaking the eight inning stalemate. Photo/Brady Linick
Jose Pena tallied a run-scoring double for the Rattlers off an off-speed pitch up in the zone. The next pitch saw Clint Coulter rip the ball down the left line for a two-run double that saw the Rattlers take a 3-0 lead. The Whitecaps failed to rally back in the bottom half of the final inning.
Green, the 22 year-old out of Louisville, pitched seven stellar innings for West Michigan, allowing just four baserunners and four hits with seven strikeouts. Out of his 73 pitches, 55 were strikes and he retired 14 batters straight at one point.
Davenport took the loss for the Whitecaps with one hit and two runs against, while Robertson gave up three hits and one run.
Barrett Astin took the win for Wisconsin after giving up just one hit in four innings of work. After allowing a leadoff single in the seventh, he gave up a grounder that resulted in a double-play. Tristan Archer, who started for Wisconsin, pitched five shutout innings with two hits and three walks.
With the loss, West Michigan holds a 1-3 record at home, with the sole win coming on the home opener on Tuesday against Wisconsin. They have now lost two straight. The Whitecaps will continue their first homestand of the season Friday with a 6:35 p.m. against the Beloit Snappers. Jonathon Crawford will get the start on the mound in that game.
The West Michigan Whitecaps watch the game from their dugout. Photo/Brady Linick
