COMSTOCK PARK, MI (6-7-26) — Las Calaveras de West Michigan celebrated Copa de la Diversión Day in impressive fashion Sunday afternoon, blanking the Dayton Dragons 8-0 before a sellout crowd of 8,967 fans at LMCU Ballpark.

While much of the attention centered on Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal’s rehabilitation appearance, the Whitecaps offense supplied plenty of fireworks of its own, collecting 10 hits and scoring in five different innings to secure the victory.

West Michigan wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Jackson Strong (#13) connected for a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, giving the Whitecaps an early 2-0 lead and energizing the crowd gathered for the Las Calaveras de West Michigan celebration.

The Whitecaps added two more runs in the third inning and continued to build their advantage throughout the afternoon. West Michigan scored twice in the fifth, once in the sixth and once in the seventh to complete the 8-0 rout.

Strong finished the afternoon with two RBIs, while Garrett Pennington (#33) went 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Ricardo Hurtado (#24) added a pair of doubles and drove in two runs, while Woody Hadeen (#6) scored three times and collected two hits and an RBI.

Bennett Lee (#12) contributed two hits, and Junior Tilien (#4) added a double and scored twice as the Whitecaps lineup continued to pressure Dayton pitching throughout the contest.

Dayton starter Reynardo Cruz (1-2) (#31) suffered the loss after allowing seven runs, six earned, on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. Cruz walked three and struck out one.

The Dragons entered the game with a 31-26 record but struggled offensively against the Whitecaps pitching staff. Dayton managed just six hits, struck out 10 times, and failed to advance a runner past second base.

After Skubal completed five scoreless innings, relievers Ryan Harvey (#19), Luke Stofel (#40) and CJ Weins (#35) combined to finish the six-hit shutout. Harvey struck out two batters over two innings, while Stofel and Weins each tossed a scoreless frame.

The victory capped a successful homestand for West Michigan and provided fans with a memorable afternoon that combined baseball, culture and entertainment. Sunday’s game featured the club’s Las Calaveras de West Michigan identity as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión initiative celebrating Latino culture.

With the shutout victory, the Whitecaps sent the sellout crowd home happy while showcasing both their offensive potential and pitching depth.