LocalSportsJournal.com

COMSTOCK PARK- – Pitching struggled for the West Michigan Whitecaps and the offense fell silent in an 8-2 loss to the Dayton Dragons Sunday afternoon in front of 4,044 fans at LMCU Ballpark. 

 Whitecaps pitchers allowed six extra-base hits, including three home runs.

Dayton outfielder Austin Hendrick opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning.

West Michigan responded in the next inning as Chris Meyers snuck a two-run home run inside the right field foul pole and the ‘Caps led, 2-1.

Dragons third baseman Austin Callahan roped a two-run double in the third inning before Dayton added three more runs in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run homer from Michael Trautwein, taking control of the contest with a 6-2 lead.

Dayton extended their lead in the fifth inning as Mat Nelson smoked a two-run home run to increase the advantage to 8-2.

West Michigan managed just two hits past the fifth inning as Dragons pitching retired 12 of the last 14 batters. 
 
The Dragons improve to 6-9 as the Whitecaps fall to 9-6.

Dragons starting pitcher Jose Acuna (2-0) allowed two runs through five innings of work with five strikeouts in his second victory of the season, as ‘Caps starter Wilkel Hernandez (0-2) allowed six runs through 3.2 innings in his second loss. 

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps head to Perfect Game Field in Iowa for a rematch of the 2015 Midwest League Championship series as they visit the Cedar Rapids Kernels beginning Tuesday at 7:35 pm.

Lefty Carlos Pena gets the start for West Michigan, while the Kernels starter is to be determined. 

Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 7:20 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com