[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he problem with winning streaks is that they eventually have to end. It took the Lansing Lugnuts 12 innings, but they were able to defeat the West Michigan Whitecaps by a final score of 5-2, snapping the Whitecaps’ six-game winning streak.
Despite losing to the Lugnuts (17-18), the Whitecaps (22-14) still find themselves in an impressive stretch, winning 12 of their last 15 games.
Dominic Ficociello hit his second home run of the season in Saturday’s loss. Pit file photo
With the scored still 0-0 in the top of the fourth inning, the Lugnuts took an early 1-0 lead after L.B. Dantzler plated a run with a two-out single. The lead wouldn’t last for long, as Dominic Ficociello hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot on the first pitch in the bottom of the inning.
In the top of the fifth, the Lugnuts answered with another run as Carlos Ramirez scored on a single by Dickie Joe Thon.
West Michigan didn’t wait long to strike back, scoring the tying run after a fly ball was dropped by D.J. Davis in center field.
With the scored tied at 2-2 in the top of the 12th, back-to-back walks against Whitecaps’ reliever Montreal Robertson put runners on first and second with one out. Robertson was able to get a groundball hit up the middle by Davis, but it deflected off his fingertips and squirted through the left side, allowing Ramirez to score the go-ahead run for Lansing.
Robertson induced two more groundballs which appeared likely to double plays, but West Michigan was unable to convert on either opportunity.
Derrick Loveless first hit a groundball to second baseman Javier Betancourt who was unable to field the ball cleanly, leaving the bases loaded with one out. Mitch Nay followed with a one hopper to short which led to a force out at second, but an errant throw by Betancourt allowed Nay to reach base safely, and another two runs to score, giving the Lugnuts a 5-2 lead.
Griffin Murphy (5) pitched a perfect 12th inning for the save, as Scott Silverstein (3-1) earned the win for the Lugnuts. Murphy, Silverstein and Brady Dragmire pitched incredibly well for the Lugnuts out of the bullpen, combining to pitch seven scoreless innings and only allowing two hits.
Robertson (1-2) took the loss for the Whitecaps, allowing three runs – one earned – on two hits and two walks over two innings.
The Whitecaps open a three-game road series against the Great Lakes Loons on Monday at 7:05 p.m. at Dow Diamond. RHP Buck Farmer (4-2, 2.02) is scheduled to start for West Michigan against RHP Jonathan Martinez (3-4, 4.03) of Great Lakes.
