Wells' homers powers Whitecaps to victory

Wed, May 14, 2008    to del.icio.us

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Casper Wells hit home runs in the both the eighth and ninth innings as the Whitecaps collected a season-high 20 hits en route to an 11-3 trouncing of Fort Wayne.

The game was tied, 1-1 after seven innings as West Michigan lefty Jon Kibler dueled the Wizards pitching staff. Fort Wayne used three hurlers over the first seven innings.

In the top of the eighth, the Whitecaps sent 14 batters to the plate and erupted for eight runs in the inning. Wells and Cory Middleton each went deep in the eighth for West Michigan as every Whitecap in the lineup reached base. Only Chris Carlson, who reached on an error, did not have a hit in the inning.

Kibler allowed just three hits and an unearned run in seven innings to pick up the victory. He walked two and struck out eight.

Wilton Garcia allowed a solo home run to Fort Wayne's Luis Martinez in the bottom of the eighth and Paul Nardozzi gave up a solo shot to Angel Mercado with two out in the bottom of the ninth, but finished the game.