LocalSportsJournal.com
The West Michigan Whitecaps lost their starting pitcher moments before the first pitch, but still picked up a 7-2 win over the Lake County Captains Monday night at Classic Park.
The Whitecaps suffered a setback before the game when scheduled starting pitcher Eudis Idrogo was a last-minute scratch due to an undisclosed injury. Trent Szkutnik took the spot-start and made the most of his opportunity, holding the Captains scoreless through 4 1/3 innings of work.
The game entered the fifth inning in a scoreless tie when the Whitecaps struck for three runs, highlighted by Cam Gibson’s run-scoring ground-rule double. Josh Lester also chipped in with an RBI single in the frame to drive in his first run of the year.
In the eighth, the ‘Caps broke things open with a four-run outburst to extend their lead to 7-0. A pair of run-inducing triples, by Will Maddox and Jose Azocar, respectively, headlined an inning in which West Michigan compiled six straight base hits – all with two outs.
Whitecaps pitcher Toller Boardman (2-3) relieved Szkutnik and tossed 2 2/3 innings without allowing a run to pick up his second win of the season. Maddox led the Whitecaps offense with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate, coming within a home run of hitting for the cycle.
The win improves West Michigan’s record to 15-13. The Captains league-best record falls to 19-12.
