[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter defeating the Lansing Lugnuts 7-3 on Friday at Fifth Third Ballpark, the West Michigan Whitecaps have not only won their last six games, but they’ve also won their fifth-consecutive series.
West Michigan (22-13) has won 12 of their last 14 games and has a chance to sweep their six-game homestand if they can defeat Lansing (16-18) on Satuday night. It would be the first time in their 21-year franchise history that the Whitecaps would have an undefeated multi-series homestand.
Whitecaps’ starter Jeff Ziomek (2-3) had not been given a lot of run support this year, as his teammates have only scored five runs combined in his last five starts. That would not be the case on Friday night.
Betancourt scored during the Whitecaps 7-3 victory Friday night. Pit file photo
West Michigan scored first on a two-out, two-run base hit by Bennett Pickar in the second inning. In the following inning, a double steal with runners on the corners and two outs caught Lansing off guard, as Javier Betancourt was able to score from third base while Dominic Ficociello got caught in a rundown between first and second base.
Ziomek cruised through six innings, allowing only three hits and two walks while striking out five. Both runs he allowed in the top of the sixth inning were unearned when centerfielder Wynton Bernard made a throwing error while trying to double up a runner at first base.
With a 3-2 lead going to the bottom of the sixth, the Whitecaps repsonded immediately with three more runs. Betancourt led off the inning with walk before advancing to third on a double by Raph Rhymes. Ficociello followed with an RBI-groundout before Ben Verlander and Willy Adames had back-to-back run scoring triples, giving the ‘Caps a 6-2 lead.
Both teams added a late run, resulting in a 7-3 final score.
Joe Mantiply and Zac Reininger pitched the final three innings, only allowing one earned run in the ninth after a fly ball was lost in the dusk sky, resulting in a leadoff double, allowing the runner to eventually score on a sacrifice fly.
After another solid performance, the Whitepcaps’ pitching staff continues to be dominate, leading the Midwest League with a 2.42 ERA and 326 strikeouts.
West Michigan will look to sweep the homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday night with a 7:05 p.m. start against the Lugnuts. RHP Chad Green (0-1, 4.00) is scheduled to start for West Michigan against Tom Robson (2-3, 5.40) of Lansing.
