LocalSportsJournal.com
COMSTOCK PARK – The West Michigan Whitecaps used dominant pitching to stifle the Dayton Dragons en route to a 4-1 victory Wednesday afternoon at LMCU Ballpark.
Four Whitecaps pitchers combined to strike out 14 Dayton hitters while allowing just one walk and holding Dayton to an 0-for-7 mark with runners in scoring position in the win.
The Whitecaps struck first in the second inning as Chris Meyers roped an RBI-single before Carlos Mendoza lifted a sacrifice fly, scoring Eliezer Alfonzo and taking the early 2-0 lead.
Saugatuck, Michigan native and Dragons’ outfielder Blake Dunn responded with an RBI-double in the third, trimming the West Michigan lead to 2-1.
West Michigan added some insurance in the seventh and eighth innings as Meyers blasted a solo home run before Danny Serretti roped a run-scoring double, increasing the advantage to 4-1.
West Michigan starter Carlos Peña exited the game after allowing just one run through four innings. Meanwhile, relievers Zack Hess, Blake Holub, and RJ Petit retired 15 straight Dragon hitters while recording nine strikeouts.
The Whitecaps snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 7-4. The Dragons fall to 4-7.
Whitecaps reliever Zack Hess (1-0) tossed two scoreless frames with four punchouts to earn his first win., while Dayton hurler Carson Rudd (1-1) lasted only two innings and allowed two runs in his first loss of the year. Petit secures his first save as a member of the Whitecaps.
Serretti extended his hitting streak to eight games with two hits, one a double, and an RBI.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this six-game series at LMCU Ballpark against the Dayton Dragons on Thursday night at 6:35 pm.
Pitchers Keider Montero and Javi Rivera make the starts for the ‘Caps and Dragons, respectively.
Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Jeremy Otto begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
