West Michigan WhiteCaps at Clinton Lumberkings
August 5th, 2004
| West Michigan |
|
|
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
4 |
2 |
0 |
|
|
9 |
12 |
0 |
| Clinton |
|
|
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
|
3 |
8 |
3 |
E-Furtado, Bubela, Grayson, LOB WM-10, CLI-6, 2B-Kirkland, Frostad, Grayson, 3B-Santo, Kirkland, Cashman, HR-Sanchez, Knoedler, SACB-Francia 2, SACF-Rodland, Hunt, Sanchez
HB-Grayson (Vasquez), WP-Farnum, Watts
T-2:55, A-1,611
Clinton Herald
by Jerry Ramig
The Clinton Lumberkings didn't open a four game homestand the way they were hoping to, as the West Michigan WhiteCaps took a 9-3 decision from the hosts Thursday night at Alliant Energy Field.
"We were hoping to get things going in our direction, mainly back in the win column, during this crucial drive to get in the playoffs," said LumberKings manager Carlos Subero. "We didn't get that done tonight."
The WhiteCaps got on the board first when Kody Kirkland led off the second inning with a triple to deep center and scored on a sacrifice fly by Danilo Sanchez.
The LumberKings answered back in the third inning with a run to tie the game. With two outs, Larry Grayson got the first hit for the hosts, a double to center, and scored when Micah Furtado came up with his first of three singles on the night.
Matt Farnum, starting pitcher for the LumberKings cruised through the first five innings before giving up two runs in the sixth. After two outs, Garth McKinney recieved a walk and then scored on a homer over the right field fence by Sanchez, who had three hits and three RBIs to make it a 3-1 WhiteCaps lead.
The WhiteCaps broke the game wide open with a big seventh innings as they sent nine batters to the plate, scoring four runs on four hits a walk and two errors. Kirkland's double was the big hit in the frame.
In the top of the eighth inning they added two more runs. Jason Knoedler led off with a towerig solo home run over the right field fence. Followed by a triple by Luis Sabino who later scored on a Clinton error.
The LumberKings tried a come back in the eighth inning as they loaded the bases twice and ended up scoring a pair of runs. Cody Clark singled, Grayson walked and Furtado singled to load the bases. Abigail Sandoval then walked to force in a run and Andrew Wishy added a RBI single.
The visitors got out of the inning as Dane Bubela, who entered the game with a nine game hitting streak, lashed a sharp liner to short. Sandoval was forced out at second to complete the doubel play.
WhiteCaps starter Virgil Vasquez (6-7) got the win, scattering four hits and striking out seven in seven innings of work. Jermy Rodriguez came on in relief for the WhiteCaps in the eighth and ninth innings.
Farnum (5-8) suffered the loss. "Matt Farnum gave us six strong innings", said Subero. "I was proud to see the way our team tried to fight back in the late innings. Now we have to concentrate on getting back in the win column during the rest of the homestand."
The series continues with 7pm games Friday and Saturday and concludes with a 2pm contest Sunday. Jesse Chavez (5-7, 4.86) is slated to pitch for Clinton tonight, while West Michigan will counter with Chris Steinborn (5-10, 4.37)