Wynton Bernard recorded a RBI-double in the ninth to cut into the deficit, but the Whitecaps still fell 10-3 to Bowling Green. Pit file photo
[dropcap]F[/dropcap]or the second-consecutive game, the Bowling Green Hot Rods left the ballpark with a lopsided win, beating the West Michigan Whitecaps 10-3. A similar outcome came about Memorial Day when the Hot Rods left with a shutout win, 15-0, at Bowling Green Ballpark in Kentucky.
West Michigan gave up double-digit runs in back-to-back days, a feat that was accomplished only twice in the first 50 games of the ‘Caps’ season.
Starting pitcher Kevin Ziomek and the Whitecaps fell behind early. A sloppy first inning saw two singles, two errors, a hit batsman and a walk to load the bases with one out. Johnny Field beat out a near double play to allow the first run to score. Another passed ball the a run cross the plate while a two-out error by third baseman Francisco Contreras notched a 3-0 lead early for Bowling Green.
An inning later, a two-out single by field with loaded bases drove in two more runs for the 5-0 cushion.
With the early lead, Hot Rods starting pitcher German Marquez (2-2) cruised through six strong innings for the longest outing of his career. Marquez carried a three-hit shutout into the sixth before a two-out walk and a Dominic Ficociello triple earned the Whitecaps their first run of the game to cut into the deficit, 5-1.
Marquez would allow one run on four hits in his six innings of work, striking out just as many batters as innings and walking one for his win.
Bowling Green continued their assault in the later innings. Juniel Querecuto smacked an RBI-double in the sixth while Yoel Araujo added a run-scoring single with two outs in the seventh. Back-to-back doubles by Field and Pat Blair pushed Bowling Green to a 10-1 advantage.
Wynton Bernard and Raph Rhyes earned RBI-doubles in the ninth to reach the 10-3 final. Ziomek (3-5) was charged with five runs, three earned, on eight hits over five innings of work in the loss. He struck out six and walked one.
West Michigan now turn their attention to Fifth Third Ballpark when the Dayton Dragons visit for a three-game series that has playoff implications. Chad Green (0-2, 3.88 ERA) will get the start on the mound for the Whitecaps to go up against RHP Sal Romano (3-3, 3.00 ERA). The first game of the series will be played tonight at 6:35 p.m.
