[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he West Michigan Whitecaps didn’t lead the Peoria Chiefs for long on Friday night, but a rally in the eighth inning was enough to give them a 3-2 victory at Fifth Third Field.
With the win, West Michigan (18-9, 59-38) not only extended their winning streak to seven games but also moved into first place in the Midwest League’s second-half Eastern Division standings. Despite trailing for almost the entire game, the ‘Caps stunned Peoria (16-11, 53-43) as they earned their ninth series sweep of the season.
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Bennett Pickar finally put the Whitecaps on board with a two-out double that scored Willy Adames from first base.
In the bottom of the eighth, the ‘Caps were down 2-1 and in need of a rally. Back-to-back singles by Wynton Bernard and Javier and Betancourt put runners on first and third with no outs. With the infield drawn in, Betancourt stole second base to put the go-ahead run in scoring position. Peoria’s Josh Lucas almost escaped the jam, striking out Raph Rhymes and Dominic Ficociello to record the first two outs of the inning.
Jeff Holm came up with the biggest at bat of the game, hitting a 3-2 pitch into right field for a single, scoring both Bernard and Betancourt. With a 3-2 lead heading to the top of the ninth inning, things got a little exciting for the Whitecaps.
Peoria refused to go down without a fight, loading the bases in the ninth inning against Zac Reininger (8). A leadoff walk to Richy Pedroza and singles by Rafael Medina and Vaughn Bryan gave Peoria a good chance to either tie or take the lead with one out in the inning.
Reininger was able to escape the jam, getting C.J. McElroy to pop out before Justin Ringo bounced out to short to end the game.
The Whitecaps’ bullpen had an outstanding series against the Chiefs. Their relievers went 12 innings without allowing an earned run during the three-game series and they have not blown a save in their current seven-game winning streak. Montreal Robertson (5-5) earned the win out of the bullpen, pitching three innings while just allowing one unearned run.
Buck Farmer had another solid start for West Michigan without getting a decision. Farmer allowed one run on four hits over five innings. After allowing the leadoff batter to triple and score, Farmer only allowed one hit and no more runs for the rest of the game.
Lucas (1-1) took the loss and a blown save after allowing two runs in the only inning he worked.
The Whitecaps will continue their six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch on Saturday night against the Burlington Bees. RHP Austin Kubitza (8-1, 2.41) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Garrett Nuss (4-1, 4.00) of Burlington.
The Whitecaps have also announced some changes to their roster prior to tonight’s game. RHP Scott Sitz is being transferred from West Michigan to Toledo for the weekend, as Toledo finds themselves short a pitcher after Drew VerHagen was called up to start the first game of a doubleheader for the Detroit Tigers. Sitz is expected to be transferred from Toledo to Connecticut following the weekend series.
RHP Will LaMarche is being transferred from West Michigan to Connecticut, while 2014 draft picks RHP Adam Ravenelle (4th round, Vanderbilt) and RHP Artie Lewicki (8th round, Virginia) are being transferred from the Gulf Coast League to West Michigan.
