Gerbe, patient Whitecaps two-hit Wizards

Jeff Gerbe has found a new niche since converting to a West Michigan starting role. (Emily Smith/MLB.com)   MiLB Headlines

Gerbe (1-0) surrendered two runs -- one earned -- on two hits in a career-high seven innings as West Michigan edged visiting Fort Wayne, 4-2, on Monday.

The 22-year-old allowed just a third-inning walk and a single in the fifth through his first 6 2/3 innings before yielding another base hit and hitting two batters in the ninth. He relieved starting pitcher Chris Cody when rain halted the proceedings Sunday.

"I felt really good out there," said Gerbe, who finished with three strikeouts and one walk. "My slider was working and the defense behind me was outstanding."

Gerbe has a 1.26 ERA and two saves through 35 2/3 innings and is holding opposing batters to a .195 batting average. He recently got moved into the Whitecaps starting rotation after tossing 20 1/3 consecutive scoreless relief frames.

The 16th-round selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft said his spotty performance for Class A Short-Season Oneonta last season -- 1-4 with a 5.08 ERA in eight starts -- provided the necessary drive to improve.

"Last year gave me a lot of motivation. I was pretty frustrated," said Gerbe, who pitched through an injured hip last year.

He responded by working out at the gym "six times a week" in the offseason.

"I made a lot of adjustments to clean up my delivery," he added. "If I didn't, something was going to break down."

Brett Jensen retired the final two batters for his 11th save. Cody set down the first four batters in order before rain suspended the game.

Michael Bertram put the Whitecaps (31-24) on the board with an RBI single in the first. Ryan Strieby and Gorkys Hernandez hit back-to-back run-scoring doubles in the fifth. Deik Scram chipped in an RBI fielders' choice in the eighth.

Javis Diaz delivered an RBI groundout and later scored on shortstop Audy Ciriaco's throwing error in the ninth for the Wizards (24-31).

Fort Wayne starter Andrew Underwood (3-5) took the loss after giving up a run on one hit and a walk while fanning one in one inning. Steve Delabar yielded two runs on three hits and three walks with a strikeout in 3 1/3 innings, and Wilton Lopez gave up a run on two hits in one frame.

Ryan McConnell is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.