By Larry Arreguin |LPL News Wire| May 8, 2026
COMSTOCK PARK, MI — A packed Friday night crowd at West Michigan Whitecaps hoped a visit from Bluey and Bingo would help snap the club’s 11-game losing streak, but the visiting Dayton Dragons had other ideas.
Dayton pounded out 10 hits, including four home runs, while holding West Michigan to just two hits in an 8-0 shutout victory Friday night at LMCU Ballpark before 6,211 fans.
The Whitecaps entered the night searching for momentum and energy, and the family-friendly atmosphere certainly delivered early. Fans lined the concourse to meet Bluey and Bingo while hoping the popular characters could bring a little good fortune to the home dugout.
Instead, Dayton’s offense quickly took control.
Carlos Sanchez (#7) led the charge for the Dragons, blasting a pair of solo home runs and finishing 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Ariel Almonte (#14) opened the scoring with a solo homer in the fourth inning before Victor Acosta (#38) added a three-run blast in the seventh that effectively buried West Michigan.
Whitecaps starter Rayner Castillo (#30) battled through 4.1 innings but took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits while striking out three. Relievers Carlos Lequerica (#36) and Ryan Harvey (#19) combined to finish the game, though Dayton added insurance late to put the contest out of reach.
Offensively, the Whitecaps never found a rhythm against Dayton starter Nestor Lorant (#17), who scattered just two hits across seven shutout innings while striking out seven. Garrett Pennington (#18) accounted for both West Michigan hits, including his 10th double of the season.
The Whitecaps threatened in a few spots but finished 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded six runners on base. Defensive miscues also continued to haunt West Michigan, as the club committed two errors in the loss.
Despite the final score, the crowd remained lively throughout much of the evening thanks to appearances by Bluey and Bingo, who kept younger fans entertained between innings during a difficult night on the field.
West Michigan will look to regroup Saturday as the homestand against Dayton continues.
Stay tuned for photos from the game.
For continued coverage of the Whitecaps and Michigan sports, follow #LPL_NewsWire.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss. Ariel Almonte (#14) tracks down the ball to make the catch.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss. Ariel Almonte (#14) tracks down the ball to make the catch.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss. Carlos Lequerica (#36) on the mound for the Whitecaps.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss. Firstbaseman Clayton Campbell (#25) tosses the ball to complete the putout.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss. Carlos Sanchez (#7), Dayton Dragons.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss. Alfredo Duno (#16), Dayton Dragons.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss. Nestor Lorant (#17), Dayton Dragons.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss. Juan Hernandez (#14), West Michigan Whitecaps.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss. Rayner Castillo (#30), West Michigan Whitecaps.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss. Ariel Almonte (#14), beats the throw to first base.
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (05-08-26) — The West Michigan Whitecaps hosted the Dayton Dragons Friday night at LMCU Ballpark, falling 8-0 before a crowd of 6,211 fans. Bluey and Bingo were on hand for the evening as Garrett Pennington (#18) recorded both hits for West Michigan during the loss. Caleb Shpur (#23), West Michigan Whitecaps.
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