COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — The West Michigan Whitecaps managed just one base hit as a big first three innings from the Peoria Chiefs made the difference in an 8-0 shutout loss in front of 7,254 fans Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.
West Michigan gave up eight runs through the first three innings as the offense couldn’t get going, amassing just one hit, going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and leaving ten runners stranded in the shutout.
Peoria collected four runs in the first inning as second baseman Brayden Smith added a grand slam to take a 4-0 lead. Peoria starting pitcher Jacob Odle worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the second before the Chiefs plated four more runs in the second and third, highlighted by a two-run homer from designated hitter Andrew Williamson, to take a commanding 8-0 lead. West Michigan threatened with runners in scoring position in the fourth, fifth and sixth but couldn’t capitalize, as Peoria relievers Bobby Olsen and Nate Dohm combined for 2.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts to maintain the 8-0 edge. West Michigan’s offense was held without a baserunner over the final two frames, as Chiefs closer Christian Worley tossed two scoreless frames with six strikeouts to end the game and complete the 8-0 shutout loss.
The Whitecaps fall to 32-26 in the second half and 56-66 overall, while the Chiefs improve to 27-30 in the second half and 59-64 overall. Whitecaps starting pitcher Jojo Ingrassia (0-2) suffers his second loss, allowing seven runs through 2.1 innings of work. Meanwhile, Worley (5-2) collects his fifth win with his two shutout frames. The Whitecaps now sit 2.5 games behind the Great Lakes Loons in first place in the Midwest League East Division standings.
UP NEXT
West Michigan and Peoria play the Whitecaps penultimate home game of the 2026 regular season from LMCU Ballpark, with the fifth game of this six-game series from LMCU Ballpark on Saturday at 7:05pm. Connor Fenlong gets the start on the mound for the Whitecaps against the Chiefs Aaron Holiday. 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.