MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Bats Fail the Loons

Published on May 4, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - In a game which the Great Lakes Loons only earned four hits, the team scored once in a 2-1 series-opening loss to the Kane County Cougars (D-Backs) on Friday at Dow Diamond.

With the loss, Great Lakes falls to 2-10 at home this season and is winless through four games of a current six-game homestand. Kane County's win snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Loons.

After a 1-2-3 first inning for Edwin Uceta (L, 1-1), the 20-year-old had to use 29 pitches to get through the second inning. The Cougars (12-13) capitalized on his struggles, as Renae Martinez lined a two-run shot over the wall in left field to take an early 2-0 lead.

The Loons (7-18) cut the deficit in half on an RBI single from Starling Heredia in the fourth inning. Kane County starter Jhoan Duran gave up one earned run, three hits and three walks in 4.0 innings. He struck out four hitters.

Despite a weak start, Uceta managed to take Great Lakes through 4.0 innings. He allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts. The departure of Uceta called relievers Andre Scrubb and Devin Hemmerich to the mound. The duo combined for 4.0 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing three hits and one walk.

As the Loons bullpen was stellar, so were the two relief pitchers for the Cougars, Matt Peacock and Carlos Bustamante. Peacock (W, 2-0) gave up one hit in 3.0 innings and Bustamante took Kane County to the ninth with ease. Matt Brill (S, 3) gave up a walk to Brayan Morales before getting Romer Cuadrado to ground into a double play and Heredia to strikeout, ending the game.

Morales and Heredia were the only Loons to reach base on a hit. Morales, 22, went 2-for-2 with two walks and Heredia was 2-for-4 with a walk of his own. Cuadrado's six-game hitting streak was snapped.

The Loons homestand continues with game five of six in a row at Dow Diamond on Saturday night. Right-hander Jesus Vargas (3-0, 2.00 ERA) gets the start for the Loons against the Cougars, who will pitch right-hander Jeff Bain (1-0, 2.45 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The Great Lakes Loons have been the Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team's home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and ESPN 100.9-FM. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from May 4, 2018


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