LocalSportsJournnal.com

The West Michigan Whitecaps piled up 17 hits, including three home runs, in an impressive 12-2 series-opening victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps Monday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The Whitecaps greeted Fort Wayne starter Reggie Lawson with two runs in the first inning by way of a Cole Bauml two-run single.

The ‘Caps plated eight runs in the second inning. The big blow came from Josh Lester, who belted a three-run home run on the first pitch thrown by Fort Wayne reliever Nick Monroe. After a Bauml double and Danny Pinero walk, Anthony Pereira slammed a line-drive three-run, making the score 10-0.

Cam Gibson brought the lead to 11-0 and topped off the power binge in the third inning with his team leading seventh home run of 2017.

Anthony Pereira enjoyed a career-high four hit performance and Gibson recorded three hits as the ‘Caps accumulated the most hits in a game in 2017. Pitcher Spenser Watkins scattered three singles, two walks and mixed in four strike outs for the victory as West Michigan won its third straight.

The Whitecaps are 29-14 on the season, a half-game behind first-place Dayton in the Midwest League’s Eastern Division standings.