COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — The West Michigan Whitecaps are officially one win away from their first championship victory since 2015.

The 'Caps rallied for four runs in the fifth inning before pitcher Carlos Marcano carried them to a 5-3 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Sunday afternoon in Game 1 of the Midwest League Championship Series at LMCU Ballpark.

The Whitecaps were behind 3-0 going into the fourth inning when they piled five runs across the fourth and fifth, featuring an RBI double from Garrett Pennington and an RBI triple from Austin Murr.

Reliever Carlos Marcano enjoyed his best appearance of the season in his first showing with the Whitecaps since May 25. He struck out seven hitters through 4.2 scoreless frames to secure the 5-3 win.

The Kernels had the lead early in the gam

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