Slow start dooms Paletas

BELOIT— With live music on the concourse, new uniforms on the field and an outstanding crowd 2,089 fans, everything seemed set up for a big night at ABC Supply Stadium Friday night.

And while plenty of fun was had in the stands by fans loving the first Copa de Diversion night, the Paletas de Beloit fell 5-3 to visiting West Michigan.

The Paletas first run was a loud one: Jake Thompson crushed his fourth home run to right field in the seventh inning. It was Thompson’s fourth bomb of the season. Beloit cut the lead to 5-2 on an RBI single from Yiddi Cappe to plate Khalil Watson.

Beloit got one step closer in the ninth on a Brady Allen double that plated Davis Bradshaw, but the final two Paletas hitters were retired without incident to end the game.

The Whitecaps got off to a terrific start, scoring single runs in the first and second innings before Chris Meyers had the game’s biggest blow, a three-run homer in the third inning to put West Michigan ahead 5-0.

Edgar Sanchez (1-2) took the loss for Beloit. Luarbert Arias, Yeuris Jimenez and Matt Givin were simply outstanding in relief, combining for six scoreless innings to finish the game for Beloit.

The two teams will be back at it Saturday afternoon in game five of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.