COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — The West Michigan Whitecaps used late offense and clutch pitching to earn a 6-2 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts in front of 4,440 fans on Mother's Day Sunday afternoon at LMCU Ballpark.
Every Whitecaps hitter reached base as West Michigan collected four extra-base hits, including two home runs, in the victory. Meanwhile, Whitecaps starter Jack O'Loughlin posted five shutout innings as 'Caps pitchers didn't allow a walk and held Lansing to a 2-for-9 mark with runners in scoring position in the Mother’s Day win.
West Michigan grabbed the lead in the second inning as Izaac Pacheco blasted a solo home run before Luis Garcia roped an RBI double, taking the 2-0 lead. Lansing loaded the bases in the fourth but couldn't capitalize, as shortstop Euribiel Angeles popped out attempting to bunt to end the inning. 'Nuts outfielder Junior Perez opened the sixth inning with a single before coming around to score on a throwing error, trimming the deficit to 2-1. Lansing tied the game in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Perez before Whitecaps outfielder Roberto Campos smoked an RBI single, retaking the 3-2 advantage. West Michigan added crucial insurance runs in the eighth as outfielder Justice Bigbie pounded a two-run homer before Jace Jung added an RBI single to extend the lead to 6-2. The Lugnuts couldn't rally as 'Caps relievers Tyler Mattison and Gabe Sequeira combined for two shutout frames to secure the 6-2 victory.
The Whitecaps improve to 20-13 and now sit one game back of the Great Lakes Loons for first place in the Midwest League East division. The Lugnuts fall to 15-17 on the season. Whitecaps reliever Blake Holub (4-0) picks up his fourth win, allowing one run through an inning pitched as Lugnuts reliever John Beller (1-1) suffers his first loss. Bigbie finished the series going 13-for-21 with seven runs, four doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps head to Midland to begin a six-game series with the Great Lakes Loons beginning with a Tuesday morning matchup at 11:05 am. Pitcher Williander Moreno gets the start for West Michigan. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 10:50 am. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.