Sports stats



MWL Great Lakes Loons

Fort Wayne Tosses One-Hit Shutout

August 27, 2022 - Midwest League (MWL)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - Against the Lansing Lugnuts last week, the Great Lakes Loons were the best offense in the Midwest League, averaging eight runs per game.

Against the Fort Wayne TinCaps at Dow Diamond this week, the Loons have now been shut out twice in five games.

Saturday night was certainly not the Loons' night. They mustered just one hit in an 8-0 defeat to the TinCaps in front of a sellout crowd of 5,240.

Fort Wayne (47-71, 20-32 second half) scored four unearned runs against River Ryan (L, 1-1) in the top of the first inning, capped off by a three-run homer from Agustin Ruiz, his sixth homer with the 'Caps this season and his eighth of the year overall.

The TinCaps, High-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, plated a couple more in the third inning on just one hit in the frame. One run scored on a passed ball, the other on a bases-loaded walk, and the visitors took a 6-0 lead to the fourth.

The Loons (72-47, 32-21) saw their deficit grow to 7-0 in the fourth inning on two hits. Carlos Luis grabbed the RBI in the inning with a single. A pair of seventh inning singles and a Justin Farmer sacrifice fly gave the TinCaps the final 8-0 margin.

Great Lakes, the Los Angeles Dodgers' High-A partner, broke up the no-hitter with two outs in the fifth inning. Luis Diaz singled through the hole on the right side of the infield for the only Loons hit of the night.

Jose Espada (W, 1-2), the TinCaps' right-handed starter, was excellent. He allowed three walks and a hit in six innings, racking up 10 strikeouts along the way, a personal season best.

In relief for Fort Wayne, Nick Thwaits (SV, 2) tossed three perfect innings with a pair of strikeouts.

Great Lakes had just one pitcher record a scoreless appearance in Julian Smith, who loaded the bases with two hits and a walk in the ninth, but struck out a batter and did not allow a run. The Loons struck out 11 TinCaps, but also walked 11 batters.

With one hit, the Loons have a new season-low in hits. They have been one-hit for the first time since May of 2021.

The six-game series continues Sunday, and the Loons will look for the series victory, but Fort Wayne can secure a series split. The Loons lead the set, three games to two, and hold an 11-6 lead in the season series. Sunday's 1:05 p.m. matchup at Dow Diamond is the final in the season series. Southpaw starter Ronan Kopp makes his Loons debut, opposing TinCaps righty Garrett Hawkins (0-0, 15.00 ERA) in his second start at the level. ESPN 100.9-FM coverage kicks off at 12:50 p.m. with the Loons On-Deck Circle, driven by Garber Chevrolet Midland.

At Dow Diamond, it's another Kids Eat Free & Run the Bases day, the second-to-last one of the season, presented by ESPN 100.9-FM. It's also a chance for kids to Touch a Truck, thanks to Applebee's. Tickets are still available at Loons.com.

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 27, 2022


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.

OurSports Central