MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Five-Hole Error Wins It for Loons

Published on June 27, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - The Great Lakes Loons were out hit 11-5 in Monday's game against the visiting Bowling Green Hot Rods, but the team benefited from an error in the bottom of the ninth to win the game 4-3.

The play was scored an E5, which simply identifies the Bowling Green third baseman as the player who committed the error, but the '5' in the score book could also stand to describe the play, in which Robi Estrada allowed the routine groundball to slip between his legs, also known as the five-hole. The two-out blunder allowed Loons second baseman Casio Grider to score the walk-off run from third.

Prior to the game winner, the Loons had loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth: Grider was hit by pitch; Christian Lara singled; and Chris Jacobs was intentionally walked after a wild pitch opened first base. The Hot Rods substituted in a fifth infielder, who played the gap at second, allowing them to turn a 4-2-3 double-play and extend the inning. Unfortunately for Bowling Green Jon Garcia's broken-bat ground ball that followed was their undoing.

"Yeah the ninth inning was weird, you know, it looked like they were going to get out of it there and then 'Jonny' put the ball in play and you never know what's going to happen," Loons infielder Jesse Bosnik said after the game. "We're just glad we pulled it out because we've been in some close ones here. Three of the last four came down to that last inning. So it's nice to win those games and get some momentum and confidence late in games."

Bosnik was responsible for two of the Loons runs in the game, hitting his first home run of the season in the third inning; a solo shot that put the Loons up 1-0. He struck again in the fifth inning with a two-out single that scored Preston Mattingly from second. Batting ninth, Bosnik went two-for-three with one run and two RBI. The Loons also scored on a passed ball in the fourth inning.

From the mound, the Loons got five innings from starter Ryan Christenson, who allowed one earned run on eight hits while striking out three and walking none. Loons reliever Bret Montgomery came in to pitch the sixth and seventh innings for Great Lakes and allowed one run on two hits and one walk, before Logan Bawcom came in to pitch the final two scoreless frames. Bawcom picked up the win in the effort, his fourth of the year.

The Loons will play game two of their three-game series against Bowling Green on Tuesday at Dow Diamond as a return Loon from 2010 LHP Greg Wilborn (2-3, 6.85 in Cal. League) will start against the Hot Rods. Dodger-great Tommy Lasorda will make an appearance at Dow Diamond prior to the game Tuesday, while a Fireworks Loontacular powered by Dow Corning will follow.

The Great Lakes Loons are a fifth-year Single-A partner 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 June 27, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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