MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Chavez Blasts Lugnuts Past Loons

Published on August 18, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


LANSING, MI - Jerry Sands and Esteban Lopez homered and Geison Aguasviva threw six solid innings in a spot start for the Loons, but it wasn't enough to overcome Johermyn Chavez's two-run eighth inning home run Tuesday night as the Lansing Lugnuts defeated Great Lakes 5-3 at Oldsmobile Park.

Four of the five Lugnuts' runs were scored off reliever Luis Garcia, who entering play Tuesday night had not allowed a run in August.

Garcia (5-3) entered in the seventh and surrendered two runs on three hits to tie the game at 3-3. Chris Emanuele brought home the tying run with a ground ball to shortstop Dee Gordon with the infield positioned back.

Then in the eighth, Mark Sobolewski walked to begin the inning. Then on the next pitch from Garcia, Chavez blasted it over the high wall in right field for a two-run, go-ahead homer.

Frank Gailey (3-2) was the game's winning pitcher with 1 2/3 scoreless relief innings.

The Loons scored all their runs on home runs. With the Nuts ahead 1-0, Jerry Sands tied the game in the third with a solo home run to right-center, the deepest part of Oldsmobile Park. Then in the fifth, Esteban Lopez hit a two-run shot to left-center to give the Loons a 3-1. Both Loons home runs traveled significantly longer than 400 feet.

Sands finished the game 3-for-3. Lopez is now 9-for-20 against the Lugnuts in 2009 with two of his three home runs on the season.

Aguasviva allowed a first-inning run, then threw five scoreless frames.

Loons players and coaches will enjoy their off day Wednesday - their only scheduled off day in August - then travel to South Bend for the start of a four-game series Thursday. Right-hander Josh Walter (8-4, 3.45 ERA) will start for the Loons. He will be opposed by lefty Wade Miley (5-8, 3.98). Game time Thursday is 6:30pm. The game will be broadcast in Mid-Michigan on ESPN 100.9-FM and online at Loons.com.

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 August 18, 2009


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