COMSTOCK PARK, MI (WHTC AM/FM) – Pitcher Carlos Guzman enjoyed his most dominant outing of the summer as the West Michigan Whitecaps snuck past the Dayton Dragons 3-2 Tuesday night in front of 5,884 fans at LMCU Ballpark.
Guzman collected a season-high six strikeouts while allowing just one hit through five shutout innings as the Dragons were held to an 0-for-3 mark with runners in scoring position. The Whitecaps have won 20 of their last 26 games – their best 26-game stretch since posting the same record from April 21-May 18, 2017.
Guzman silenced the Dragons as Ryan Kreidler, playing with West Michigan on a Minor League Rehab Assignment, lifted an RBI single in the third inning before Josh Crouch added a sacrifice fly, forging West Michigan in front 2-0. The ‘Caps added a crucial insurance run in the fifth inning, as Bryant Packard roped an opposite-field RBI single to increase the lead to 3-0.
Dayton returned fire in the sixth, as Austin Hendrick blasted a two-run homer to slim the edge to 3-2. Still, the Dragons couldn’t complete the rally, as Jared Tobey, Dario Gardea, and Elvis Alvarado combined for three shutout innings to slam the door on a narrow 3-2 victory.
Guzman (5-5) secures his fifth victory as Alvarado picks up his seventh save, not allowing a run so far in July. Dragons starter Evan Kravetz (4-5) suffers his fifth loss, allowing two runs through four innings pitched.
The Whitecaps have won 16 of their last 20 games and hold a five-game lead over the Lake County Captains for first place in the Midwest League East Division. The Whitecaps improve to 50-41 and 19-6 in the second half. The Dragons fall to 45-44 and 6-19 in the second half.
The Whitecaps continue this six-game series at LMCU Ballpark on Wednesday night for ‘Made in Michigan Night,’ featuring former Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman and Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Chelios against the Dayton Dragons at 6:35 p.m.
Detroit Tigers Top Prospect Ty Madden gets the start for West Michigan against Dayton’s Miguel Medrano.
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