MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Great Lakes Loons Playoff Bound

Published on June 16, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - The Great Lakes Loons locked up a Midwest League playoff berth Wednesday night at Dow Diamond, marking the team's earliest clinch in franchise history, with a 4-3 win over the South Bend Silver Hawks.

Down 3-1, the Loons battled back in the seventh inning as Brian Cavazos-Galvez knocked a two-run double over South Bend center fielder Keon Broxton to knot the game up at three runs apiece. With Jerry Sands batting, a passed ball advanced Galvez to third and reliever Bradin Hagens chucked a wild pitch that brought Galvez home for what resulted in the game-winning playoff-clinching run.

Newcomer Stetson Banks recorded the final out in the Loons victory, running down Andrew Fie's fly-ball to right-center field.

"I knew I had a chance [to catch it]," Banks said, walking through the play. "[Loons right fielder] Blake Smith was yelling at me to dive and lay out, but I just happened to be fast enough and get under it. I was lucky to catch it...it's just a great experience to come to a great team in the position to clinch a playoff spot. It's a blessing."

Luis Vasquez pitched the final three outs to grab his 13th save and was immediately swarmed by his teammates after the final out.

"It means a lot, because last year I was a player but didn't get that chance to pitch [as a closer]," Vasquez explained. "It's a funny thing. That's what I've been waiting for my whole life. I'm so excited I can't even speak about it."

Loons slugger Jerry Sands, who has been with the team since their playoff run in 2009, knows how important it is to clinch early and gave praise to the several fans in the surrounding region.

"It's huge," Sands said of the home clinch. "[The fans] come out every day cheering for us, so they're a part of it too. It's big coming home and getting a win."

The home team struck first in what was the 65th game of the Loons season. Banks singled to right field in the second inning, advanced to second base on a Chris Owings' fielding error, and scored on Christian Lara's single.

Loons starting pitcher Brett Wallach got into trouble in the third inning, after fanning four Silver Hawks over the first two innings. With two outs and a man on second, the 21-year-old issued three consecutive walks to put the tying run across the plate. The next batter, Alberto Diaz, took one of Wallach's pitches to left-center field to score two and give South Bend the 3-1 advantage.

Wallach finished the game with three earned runs on four hits over three innings of work, fanning four and walking three before being relieved by Edwin Contreras. Contreras threw for 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit to earn his first win of the season. Justin Miller came for a 0.2-inning hold, while South Bend's Hagen was charged with the loss, his fourth.

After Galvez scored the go-ahead run, Sands was ejected for disputing a call with the home plate umpire Taro Hamano, who called Sands out on strikes in his fourth at-bat. Sands watched the Loons win from the clubhouse TV.

"I'd like to be in the game for those final two innings, but I just overreacted and got a little emotional there and I shouldn't have," Sands said. "Fortunately we won and I got a little break and got to plant a little shaving cream...this is the best part of it right here, winning ball games."

On the field, Loons Manager Juan Bustabad was met with a shaving cream towel to the face, in what has become a Loons tradition. The skipper, who has led his team to a 41-24 record with four games to go, made good on his promise by allowing his players to shave his mustache in the clubhouse after the game.

"Last year I did the mo-hawk, but this year the players had the mo-hawks, so I told them they could have the mustache," Bustabad said. "It feels great, you know, there is a lot of excitement in the clubhouse, the boys work hard for it and we finally did it. It's nice to do it at home in front of the home crowd."

The win marks the Loons second consecutive season to reach the Midwest League playoffs, though in 2009, the team did not clinch until the end of the second-half.

The Loons victory, coupled with Wednesday's Lake County loss, ties the Loons with the Captains for first place of the division with records of 41-24. The two teams will use the first-half's final four games to determine who will be crowned the Eastern Division winner.

The Loons will play their final home game of the first-half on Thursday, against the South Bend Silver Hawks. The Loons have won 11-out-of-11 against the S-Hawks this season and are 25-2 against South Bend since the beginning of 2009.

The Loons will send RHP Allen Webster (6-5, 2.48) to the mound and RHP Scottie Allen (2-1, 3.62) will throw for South Bend. Tigers great, Mickey Lolich, will be in attendance and signing autographs Thursday night as part two of the six-part Tigers Legend Series, presented by MidMichigan Health.

Playoff Tickets: Chemical Bank Founders Club members will receive a letter instructing them how to purchase playoff ticket packages; single game tickets will go on sale July 6. Stay tuned to Loons.com for additional playoff ticket information or call 989-837-BALL.

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