[dropcap]D[/dropcap]espite only scoring one run in the game, the West Michigan Whitecaps were able to keep the Bowling Green Hot Rods off the board, beating them by a final score of 1-0 at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Willy Adames provided most of the offense for the ‘Caps on Friday, going 2-3 with the only RBI of the game.
West Michigan (4-4, 45-33) has played very well at home as of late, winning 12 of their last 14 games at Fifth Third Ballpark and improving their home record to 27-13 for the season.
They say pitching and defense wins ballgames and that proved true yet again for the Whitecaps, whose pitching staff continues to be one of the best in the Midwest League. Three Whitecaps’ pitchers combined to allow no runs and only five hits against Bowling Green (3-5, 44-34).
Right-handed Jonathon Crawford (4-2) got the start and win for the ‘Caps, shutting out the Hot Rods in five innings while allowing three hits, three walks and striking out three.
West Michigan’s bullpen picked up Crawford, as Montreal Robertson and Julio Felix (5) each added two scoreless innings of their own.
The ‘Caps only managed to get six hits in the game, they were able to get three of them in a row in the bottom of the second inning. With one out in the inning, Wynton Bernard and Grayson Greiner both singled to give West Michigan their first scoring opportunity of the game. Adames singled to right field, scoring Bernard to give the ‘Caps a 1-0 lead.
As is the case in most 1-0 games, the Whitecaps had to escape several rally attempts by the Hot Rods.
With a runner on second and one out in the top of the third, Bowling Green’s Johnny Field singled to left. Raph Rhymes fielded the ball cleanly and fired a strike to Greiner who was able to apply the tag in time for the out and prevent the run from scoring.
The Hot Rods threatened again in the fourth inning, but two impressive plays by second baseman Javier Betancourt allowed West Michigan to strand runners at second and third.
Despite pitching well, Bruedlin Suero (0-1) took the loss for the Hot Rods. Making his first start of the year in the Midwest League, the lefty allowed one run and five hits while striking out two.
The Whitecaps continue their seven-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. RHP Buck Farmer (6-5, 3.33) is scheduled to start for the Whitecaps against LHP Ben Griset (0-3, 4.19) of the Hot Rods.
