LANSING, Mich. — Will Maddox, Will Allen, Jose Azocar, and Brett Pirtle all had RBI during a five-run third inning on Friday night, propelling the West Michigan Whitecaps to a 7-0 win over the Lansing Lugnuts and clinching a Midwest League playoff berth for a third straight season.
MWL teams can qualify early for the postseason by finishing first or second in their division before the All-Star break. Friday’s win guarantees West Michigan no worst than a second place finish with two games to play.
It’s the first time the Whitecaps will go to three straight postseasons since they made four consecutive trips from 2004-2007. It’s the second time in three years they have clinched a berth before the All-Star break.
