COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. -- During Monday's radio broadcast of Game 3 of the Eastern Division Championship Series, Whitecaps play-by-play voice Dan Hasty jokingly asked that West Michigan save some of their 14-run, 22-hit performance for the upcoming Midwest League Championship Series later in the week.
Maybe Mr. Hasty had a point.
Felix Jorge and the Cedar Rapids Kernels bullpen handcuffed the Whitecaps for just five hits on Wednesday, taking Game 1 of the MWLCS, 5-0 -- and taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
A.J. Simcox and Christin Stewart had two hits apiece for West Michigan. Spencer Turnbull was on the hook for the first two Kernels runs after leaving with two outs in the fifth. Turnbull gave up four hits and struck out six in his 4 2/3 innings.
Game 2 of the series is back at Fifth Third Ballpark at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday.
