[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n a cold and rainy night in Lansing, the West Michigan Whitecaps looked to extend their winning streak to four games. It took an incredible effort from their bullpen, but the Whitecaps defeated the Lansing Lugnuts by a final score of 4-2 at Cooley Law School Stadium.
West Michigan (16-12) has won six of their last seven games and is 4-1 during their current road trip with only two games left to play against Lansing (13-14) before returning to Fifth Third Ballpark.
The game was tied at 2-2 for most of the game until the Whitecaps started a rally in top of the eight inning.
Harold Castro led off with a single before he advanced to third base with two outs. Brett Harrison worked a full count and eventually drew a walk, putting runners on the corners for Wynton Bernard.
On the first pitch Bernard seen, he laced a single into left field to score the go-ahead run. As Harrison rounded second and headed to third, Lugnuts center fielder D.J. Davis slipped on the wet grass, allowing Harrison to score from first base.
Early in the game, Whitecaps’ starter Jeff Thompson started for the first time since April 15th after being given extra time to rest as he battled a case of right shoulder tendonitis. Thompson pitched a scoreless first inning before he allowed two base runners in the second without recording an out.
Reliever Jon Maciel replaced Thompson, allowing a two-run double before escaping without any further damage. Those ended up being all the runs the Lugnuts would score, as Maciel pitched four scoreless innings before leaving the game. Matt Davenport (2-1) threw innings without allowing a run, and Montreal Robertson pitched a scoreless ninth, earning his fourth save of the year.
Adaric Kelly (0-1) took the loss for Lansing. He allowed two runs – one earned – on three hits in two innings.
West Michigan will look to make it five-straight wins tonight when they continue their road trip against Lansing with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch tonight. LHP Kevin Ziomek (1-2, 1.31) is scheduled to start for the Whitecaps against RHP Jeremy Gabryszwski (1-2, 4.40) for Lansing.
