[dropcap]A[/dropcap] 6-2 loss Thursday night to the Great Lakes Loons keeps the West Michigan Whitecaps one game from clinching a playoff berth and half a game behind South Bend.
West Michigan’s (39-28) magic number to clinch a playoff berth is still at one following Dayton’s sweep over Bowling Green with three games remaining in the first half of the season. The ‘Caps also remain half a game behind the Silver Hawks, meaning that the Midwest League’s Eastern Division title will be determined by the series winner of a three-game set between the two teams beginning tonight.
Despite plenty of opportunities Thursday, West Michigan stranded 10 men on base with runners in scoring position during four of the last five innings. Throughout the three-game series with Great Lakes, West Michigan left 33 runners on base and lost two-of-three.
The ‘Caps initially took the lead in the top of the third when Javier Betancourt split the gap in right-center with an RBI-triple and scored on an infield single by Raph Rhymes for a 2-0 advantage.
But the lead vanished quickly. Three pitches into the bottom of the third, Dillon Moyer doubled down the left line to drive home Malcolm Holland from first. Two batters later, Holland scored on a flare-single by Jacob Scavuzzo to even the game at 2-2.
In the fourth, Josmar Cordero smashed a homer to put the Loons ahead. Paul Hoenecke doubled home a run in the fifth and added a home run in the seventh as the lead grew to the final 6-2.
Much of the damage was done against Buck Farmer (6-5), who was beat up for five runs on 1o hits over 6.1 innings of work. He struck out five and issues a walk, but gave up career-highs in earned runs and hits.
Jonathon Martinez (5-5) earned the win for the Loons with five innings of work. He was charged with two runs on five hits and limiting all of the ‘Caps runs to the third inning. Three Loons’ relievers combined to blank the ‘Caps over the final four innings.
The ‘Caps now turn their attention to first-place South Bend as they open a three-game series that will determine the first-half MWL-East champ tonight at 7:35 p.m. West Michigan All-Star Austin Kubitza (6-0, 2.08 ERA) will start on the mound against RHP Sean Furney (2-2, 5.12 ERA) of South Bend.
The Pit will be LIVE at Four Winds Field on Saturday for the second of a three-game series between South Bend and West Michigan, so be sure to follow The Pit on Twitter (@ThePit_SE) for in-game updates and highlights.
