LocalSportsJournal.com

The West Michigan Whitecaps defeated Peoria 5-3 on Wednesday afternoon behind strong offensive output from Luke Burch.

Burch finished with three RBIs and two hits on the day while Jordan Pearce and Reynaldo Rivera each added an RBI of their own.

Pearce gave the Whitecaps an early lead when he drove home Cole Peterson in the first inning, making the score 1-0.

The Whitecaps then added two runs in the fourth when Burch singled home Dylan Rosa and Alexis Garcia, giving West Michigan a 3-0 lead.

With the score 3-1 in the sixth, Burch singled home Zac Shepherd to extend the West Michigan lead to 4-1.

West Michigan took a 4-3 lead into the ninth before adding an insurance run was added by Rivera who brought home Brady Policelli on an RBI groundout.

Starting pitcher Elvin Rodriguez picked up the win on the mound, tossing 5 and 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out five. John Hayes picked up his second save of the season, pitching a clean inning and two-thirds.

West Michigan improves to 15-10 on the season and sits in second place of the Midwest League Eastern Division, a game and a half behind Lansing for first.

The Whitecaps return to the field on Thursday to wrap up their series at Peoria. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.