Miller Time coming in July; ‘Caps 7, Lugnuts 1

July 27, 2024 – Midwest League (MWL)
West Michigan Whitecaps Press Release

COMSTOCK PARK, MI – West Michigan Whitecaps starting pitcher Joe Miller continued his dominant run in July as the offense came to life in a 7-1 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts before a sold-out crowd of 8,686 fans Saturday night at LMCU Ballpark.

All but one of the ‘Caps hitters reached base, as Max Anderson, Bennett Lee and Seth Stephenson all added two-run base hits. Meanwhile, Miller has not allowed a run in his last 19 innings — 15 in the month of July — throwing five scoreless frames and adding two strikeouts. ‘Caps pitchers held Lansing to an 0-for-2 mark with runners in scoring position in the winning effort.

The Whitecaps took the lead in the fourth inning when outfielder Roberto Campos hit a sacrifice fly into left field, scoring Eddys Leonard from third for a 1-0 lead. The Whitecaps then sprinkled four runs across the fifth and sixth innings when Anderson added a two-run double before Stephenson scored Campos and Luke Gold on a two-run single in the sixth, extending the lead to 5-0. The Lugs added their lone run in the eighth when outfielder Cameron Masterman hit an RBI double into left field, but it was short-lived as the Whitecaps added two insurance scores in the bottom half with a two-run double by Lee, 7-1. West Michigan closer Tanner Kohlhepp made quick work of the Lugnuts in the ninth, shutting the side out, including a pair of strikeouts to put the finishing touches on a 7-1 Whitecaps winner.

The Whitecaps improve to 14-14 in the second half and 45-49 overall, while the Lugnuts fall to 14-15 and 46-48 overall. Miller (2-2) collects his second win while Lansing starting pitcher Will Johnston (4-4) suffers his fourth loss, allowing three runs (one earned) in five innings pitched. Miller becomes just the eighth starting pitcher to record a win this season. Meanwhile, Tigers No. 1 prospect Max Clark finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and a double and is now 7-for-18 with a double, triple and four RBIs to start his Whitecaps career.

NEXT ONE

The Whitecaps close out this six-game series against the Lansing Lugnuts from LMCU Ballpark on Sunday at 2 p.m. Austin Bergner gets a minor league rehab start against the Lugnuts’ Blaze Pontes. Tune in with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 1:45 p.m. on 106.1 FM “The Ticket” and 1340 WJRW-AM in Grand Rapids to catch all the action. Don’t miss the excitement; get your tickets to all 2024 home games or tune in live at whitecapsbaseball.com.

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