COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps bullpen was dominant as the offense rallied for four unanswered runs in a 4-3 win over the Beloit Sky Carp in front of 6,856 fans Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.
West Michigan relievers Eliseo Mota, Win Scott, Luke Stofel, and Zack Lee combined for 7.2 scoreless innings with five strikeouts while holding Beloit to 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position in the narrow victory. The Whitecaps have won five of their last six games and finish the month of July at 13-11.
Beloit scored three runs in the top of the second inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from outfielder Esmil Valencia to take a 3-0 lead. West Michigan responded in the third as catcher Edian Espinal drove in Juan Hernandez with an RBI groundout before first baseman Clayton Campbell followed with a two-run single to tie the game at 3-3. The 'Caps then took the lead in the fourth as outfielder Woody Hadeen delivered an RBI double, putting West Michigan ahead 4-3. Meanwhile, ‘Caps relievers combined to dominate the first-place Sky Carp, keeping Beloit hitters off-balance throughout the contest. Beloit threatened in the ninth, putting two runners on with two outs, but shortstop Juan Hernandez made a diving catch on a line drive off the bat of Sky Carp infielder Jesus Hernandez to secure the 4-3 victory.
The Whitecaps improve to 19-15 in the second half and 43-55 overall, while the Sky Carp fall to 21-13 in the second half and 48-51 overall. Scott (1-0) earned his first win of the season after tossing two shutout innings with a pair of strikeouts, while Lee recorded the two-inning save, his fourth of the season. Beloit starting pitcher Aiden May (4-3) suffered his third loss after allowing four runs over four innings. Additionally, Whitecaps pitchers have stifled the Sky Carp's offense this week, holding Beloit to just 1-for-28 with runners in scoring position through the first four games of the series.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps and Sky Carp move this six-game series to Saturday night at LMCU Ballpark, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm. Pitchers Carson Laws and Connor Fenlong get the starts for the Sky Carp and ‘Caps. 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 or listen to all the action on whitecapsbaseball.com.