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MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

'Caps Blank Loons to Even Series

September 11, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - One day after dominating the West Michigan Whitecaps to take a one-game lead in the best-of-three Round 1 series in the Midwest League playoffs, the Great Lakes Loons' offense was blanked in a 7-0 drubbing Thursday at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Left-hander Adam Wilk started and threw 5 2/3 shutout innings, righty Rob Waite following out of the bullpen to continue the shutout and designated hitter Billy Nowlin went 4-for-4 and drove in three to help West Michigan even the series at one game each. West Michigan recorded 10 hits, all singles.

Right-hander JonMichael Redding - who finished the regular season with 16 wins, tied for the top spot in the league - failed to last past the second inning. The Whitecaps scored six runs in the second, capitalizing on six singles and two walks. Brandon Douglas, Joe Bowen and Gustavo Nunez drove in a run each with singles. Then with the bases loaded, Ronnie Bourquin drew a walk to put West Michigan up 4-0 and drive Redding out of the game.

Right-hander Bobby Blevins, at one time scheduled to be the potential Game 3 starter, entered in relief and surrendered a two-run single to Nowlin before ending the nightmarish second. Blevins did not allow a run in 3 1/3 innings in his first relief appearance of 2009.

The Caps tacked on an additional run in the seventh against reliever Jordan Pratt on another RBI single by Nowlin. He was the only Whitecap with a multi-hit game.

The Loons managed just four hits in the franchise's second playoff game - singles by Dee Gordon, Nick Buss and Parker Dalton and a double by Jerry Sands that was essentially a single with a relay throw from the outfield misplayed by Douglas into a double.

The two teams face an elimination game Friday night at Fifth Third Ballpark. Game time is 7pm and the contest will be broadcast live on ESPN 100.9-FM and at Loons.com. Twenty-year old right-hander Ethan Martin (6-8, 3.87 ERA in the regular season) will start for the Loons against fellow Georgian Luke Putkonen (7-8, 3.13). Righty Nathan Eovaldi (3-5, 3.27) is scheduled to work in relief for the Loons.

The winner of Friday's game will match up Saturday in the first game of a three-game series against the winner of the Fort Wayne-South Bend series.

The Great Lakes Loons are the third-year Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and members of the Midwest League. For more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com or call 989-837-BALL.

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Midwest League Stories from September 11, 2009


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