Kubitza helped the Whitecaps moved back into first place. Pit file photo
[dropcap]B[/dropcap]y defeating the Lake County Captains by a score of 4-1 Wednesday afternoon, the West Michigan Whitecaps (20-13) not only were able to pull off a three-game sweep, but also find themselves in first place for the first time since opening day.
The Whitecaps pitching has been dominant against the Captains (9-24) so far this year, combining to go 6-1 in the season series with an ERA of 1.38 while striking out 91 batters in 72 innings.
West Michigan fell behind in the first inning following two walks, a wild pitch, an error and a hit. That would be the only run the Whitecaps would allow, continuing their impressive stretch of only allowing 13 runs combined in their last nine games. After today’s game, the team lowered their ERA to 2.36, the only sub-3.00 ERA in the Midwest League.
Starting pitcher Austin Kubitza was solid through six innings, only allowing the one unearned run while allowing five hits, striking out seven and walking two as he lowered his ERA to 1.78 for the year.
The Whitecaps tied it at 1-1 in the second inning when Ben Verlander scored on a Tyler Gibson single. The score would remained tied until the Whitecaps started a rally in the fifth inning.
Following a single by Willy Adames and a walk by Wynton Bernard, Javier Betancourt hit a shot up the middle that bounced off Captains’ pitcher Jordan Milbrath. Milbrath was able to recover the ball in time, but his throw to first base was off target, allowing both Adames and Bernard to score.
Bernard would drive in the final run of the game in the seventh with a triple, giving the Whitecaps a 4-1 lead.
The Whitecaps also got some help in their bullpen from Luke Putkonen who is on a rehab assignment from the Tigers. Putkonen allowed one hit and no runs in the seventh while throwing 10 of his 16 pitches for strikes.
Will LaMarche pitched a scoreless eight inning and Zac Reininger (1) pitched a perfect ninth, earning him his first Midwest League save.
Milbrath (1-2) took the loss for the Captains, allowing three unearned runs on five hits over six innings.
West Michigan will continue their six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. when they host the Lansing Lugnuts. RHP John Maciel (1-0, 2.22) is scheduled to start for the Whitecaps against RHP Jeremy Gabryszwski (2-2, 3.86) of the Lugnuts.
