LocalSportsJournal.com

The West Michigan Whitecaps used a combination of timely hitting and strong pitching to defeat Peoria – and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Tyler Lyons, who was on rehab assignment – 3-0 in a Wednesday afternoon road game.

In the top of the second inning, Blaise Salter and Josh Lester hit back-to-back doubles with Salter scoring on the Lester double to give West Michigan a 1-0 lead. Lester later scored on an RBI groundout by Anthony Pereira to make the score 2-0.

Cam Gibson reached base on a bunt single in the sixth inning, then stole second and third base. He scored on a Salter RBI groundout to give West Michigan its commanding 3-0 lead.

Gibson and Austin Athmann led the Whitecaps’ offense with two hits apiece. Starting pitcher Alfred Gutierrez picked up his third win of the year, allowing one hit over six innings and striking out six. Bryan Garcia picked up the save, pitching one inning and striking out two.

West Michigan, now 21-12 on the season, and will next travel to Burlington for a three-game series beginning Thursday at 7:30 p.m.