14 Innings In South Bend

3,732 fans (or those that stayed til the end) in South Bend, IN went home disappointed Friday night as the South Bend Silver Hawks dropped a 14-inning Midwest League contest to the West Michigan Whitecaps, 4-2, in the longest game of the night in the minor leagues.

In the 2nd inning, Whitecaps RF Matthew Joyce doubled, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. He scored on LF Michael Hernandez's sacrifice fly to right field.

South Bend tied it up in the bottom of the inning. 1B Bryan Byrne walked, moved to second on DH Will Crouch grounder to third, them moved to third on a wild pitch by Whitecaps pitcher Burke Badenhop. With two out, 3B Steve Mena doubled to left, scoring Byrne.

The Silver Hawks took the lead in the third. RF Leyson Septimo doubled, moved to third on CF Justin Upton's single, and scored when Byrne singled.

It remained 2-1 until the 7th, when West Michigan tied the score. SS Mark Haske reached on a fielder's choice, then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Silver Hawks C Orlando Mercado. Whitecaps C Joel Roa singled to left, scoring Haske and tying the game.

The only baserunners to reach before the 14th inning were Silver Hawks 2B Manuel Ferrer who singled in the 7th, but was forced at second to end the inning; Whitecaps DH Justin Justice reached on a bunt-single, but was stranded there; Justice reached on a two-out double in the 11th, but was stranded.

In the top of the 14th, South Bend reliever Ryan Doherty came in to pitch. Whitecaps Justin Justice walked, then Mark Haske reached on a fielder's choice that saw Justice reach second on River Hawks 2B Manuel Ferrer's throwing error. A wild pitch moved Justice to third and Haske to second. Whitecaps Joel Roa then hit a grounder to center field, scoring Justice and Haske.

Whitecaps P Orlando Perdomo set down the River Hawks in order in the bottom of the 14th to secure his 27th save and give Jose Fragoso his 1st win.

[wrapup: Whitecaps]