Starting pitcher Austin Kubitza earned the win, giving up four-runs off four-hits. He struck out four with an ERA of 2.82. Victoria Walenga/The Pit
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he West Michigan Whitecaps recent offensive struggles were nowhere to be found Saturday at Fifth Third Ballpark as they defeated the Fort Wayne TinCaps by a final score of 5-4.
West Michigan (11-11) had no trouble putting guys on base throughout the game, having a combined 12 batters reach base during the game. Perhaps that’s the reason why it wasn’t too surprising that they were able to rally back from a 4-2 deficit in the sixth inning.
Trailing 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning, Fort Wayne (9-12) rallied to give them their first lead of the game. Henry Charles and Mallex Smith led off the inning with back-to-back singles, putting runners on first and third with no outs. Smith promptly stole second base, giving the TinCaps their first good scoring opportunity of the game.
Austin Kubitza got Josh VanMeter to ground out to first for the first out, but Dustin Peterson delivered a sacrifice fly to centerfield which tied the score at 2-2. Unfortunately Kubitza would not be able to escape the jam without any more damage as Franmil Reyes hit a two-run home run to left, giving the TinCaps a 4-2 lead.
When asked about the home run after the game, Kubitza wasn’t upset by what he threw, but more his execution of the pitch.
“It was a fastball that I just left up too much. I threw a few low fastballs by him earlier in the game, but I just left that one up and he hit it.”
Javier Betancourt went 1-for-4 at the plate, striking out twice and being walked once in the Whitecaps 5-4 victory. Victoria Walenga/The Pit
It didn’t take long for West Michigan to strike back, as they scored a run in the sixth inning on a rather unusual play. With Willy Adames on third and Brett Harrison on first with two outs, Harrison attempted a delayed steal while Javier Betancourt was up to bat. As the TinCaps attempt to catch Harrison stealing second, he managed to get in a rundown long enough to allow Adames score.
With the TinCaps leading 4-3 in the seventh, the Whitecaps put together a rally that would put them ahead for good. Rafe Rhymes walked with one out before he would advance to second on a wild pitch by TinCaps’ reliever Kyle Lloyd. Dominic Ficociello singled, putting runners on the corners with one out. Lloyd then balked, allowing Rhymes to score the tying run and moved Ficociello to second. With two outs Ficociello then stole third base and scored the go-ahead run on a fielding error by TinCaps’ third baseman Peterson, giving West Michigan a 5-4 lead.
Joe Mantiply came out of the bullpen and pitched two scoreless innings, earning his third save of the year for the Whitecaps.
After walking the first two batters he faced, Kubitza (3-0) settled in nicely, retiring the next 12 batters he faced, not allowing a hit until the fifth inning. Kubitza earned the win for the Whitecaps, allowing four runs – three earned – on four hits and two walks while striking out three.
Lloyd (0-1) took the loss for the TinCaps, allowing two runs – one earned – in two innings of relief.
West Michigan will end their seven-game homestand tomorrow when they host the TinCaps for the series finale. LHP Jeff Ziomek (0-2 2.13) is slated to start for the Whitecaps against RHP Adrian De Horta (0-0 5.79) of the TinCaps with a 1:00 p.m. scheduled first pitch.
