COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps hit four home runs as infielder Beau Ankeney added two of the 'Caps' long balls in a 5-3 win over the Lugnuts in front of 7,543 fans Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.
Ankeney now has six home runs in six games as he added a two-run blast in the third before a solo shot in the eighth, going 9-for-17 with five home runs and seven RBI in four games played against the Lugnuts this week.
West Michigan took a 2-0 lead on two early pitches, as outfielder Jackson Strong opened the first with a homer before Bryce Rainer followed with his 11th home run of the season. Lugnuts catcher Dylan Fien responded with a sacrifice fly in the second, but the 'Caps weren't finished, as Ankeney followed with a two-run homer in the third, stretching their lead to 4-1. Lansing chipped away again in the fourth as infielder Gunner Gouldsmith plated Daniel Bucciero on an RBI single, trimming the lead to 4-2. The Lugnuts trimmed the lead to one run in the eighth as outfielder Jake Reinisch collected an RBI single, making it 4-3. Ankeney delivered critical insurance in the bottom half on his second homer before closer Luke Stofel slammed the door in the ninth with a scoreless frame, earning the 'Caps their third straight win, 5-3.
The Whitecaps improve to 27-19 in the second half and 51-59 overall, while the Lugnuts fall to 19-26 in the second half and 48-61 overall. West Michigan reliever Preston Howey (2-3) picks up his second win after allowing a run through two innings pitched, while Stofel secures his second save. Lugnuts starting pitcher Samuel Dutton (1-8) suffers his eighth loss, giving up four runs through six innings pitched. The Whitecaps are now in a virtual tie with the Great Lakes Loons for first place in the Midwest League East Division standings.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps and Lugnuts play the penultimate game of this six-game series at LMCU Ballpark Saturday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm on ‘The Ticket West Michigan’ and 1340 WJRW-AM in Grand Rapids, and online at WhitecapsBaseball.com.