Green Gallops to Walk-Off Win
Published on June 27, 2016 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release
MIDLAND, Mich. - Winning the close games is pivotal for any team when they are trying to start a winning streak, continue one, or break a slump. After splitting their first series of the 2nd half against the Lake County Captains, it was a come-from-behind 6-5 walk-off victory for the Great Lakes Loons on Monday at Dow Diamond against the Lansing Lugnuts. The only other walk-off win this season was against the Quad Cities River Bandits back on May 3.
After two home runs in the top of the 8th inning, one which travelled 447 feet off the bat of Connor Panas, the Lugnuts lead reached three runs at 5-2. But the first three batters in the bottom half for Great Lakes (3-2, 32-43) reached to load the bases with nobody out. Back-to-back sacrifice flies from Jake Henson and Logan Landon pulled the Loons within a run, but that would be all they would get in the frame.
After an easy top of the 9th inning was turned in by reliever Wes Helsabeck (W, 3-0), it was Midwest League saves leader Dusty Isaacs (BS, 6; L, 1-4) who was called upon by Lansing to slam the door and preserve the victory.
Cristian Gomez started the inning by getting hit by a pitch, but the hopes looked to be dwindling when a sacrifice bunt attempt turned into a pop out. Into the box stepped fresh face Darien Tubbs. Just six hours after arriving in Midland, the 2016 Los Angeles Dodgers draft pick, roped his second hit of the night into the left-field corner and forced Gomez around the bases to the tie the game.
With things looking much more promising at 5-5 with a runner on third base and one out, the Lugnuts pulled the infield in and a ground ball off the bat of Noah Perio, another new addition to the roster on Monday, saw Tubbs get himself into a pickle between third base and home plate, eventually being tagged out.
Following an intentional walk of Loons slugger Ariel Sandoval, pinch-runner-turned-catcher Gage Green beat out a full count infield single. With both baserunners on the move, Perio did not stop running around third base and scored without a throw to snatch the victory.
"I was just looking for a good pitch over the plate and just something I could try to drive up the middle," Green said after the game on ESPN 100.9-FM. "It was tempting to swing (at some of the close pitches). Me and (John) Valentin talked about trying to stay away from pulling the ball and drive it up the middle. I was just trying to get there as quick as possible. Lucky enough, I was able to get there in time."
Stifled by a career-high 12 strikeouts from Lansing (4-1, 40-35) starter Angel Perdomo, the Loons did not muster much offense early. Single runs in the 4th and 5th were plated by Sandoval and Gomez who each doubled to begin the respective innings.
Getting the starting nod on Monday for Great Lakes was Dennis Santana as he went 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits. He did walk a season-high five batters, but also had eight punch outs. Ivan Vieitez (BS, 1) and Angel German provided relief and got the ball to Helsabeck in the 9th.
After Perdomo's 6 2/3 innings pitched, Danny Young (H, 1) and Ryan Cook were the middle men for the Lugnuts before Isaacs was tabbed with the loss the end the ballgame.
The Loons and Lugnuts will continue their four-game set in Midland on Tuesday. Isaac Anderson (5-3, 4.64 ERA) will take the mound for Great Lakes while Lansing is set to counter with their second left-handed starter in as many days with Ryan Borucki (5-7, 6.62 ERA).
The Great Lakes Loons, hosts of the 2017 Midwest League All-Star Game, have been a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007 and are in their 10th season. For tickets and more information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.
Midwest League Stories from June 27, 2016
- Clinton scores early and often to top Rattlers 10-2 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Captains Score in First Five Innings to Down Cubs in Opener - Lake County Captains
- Chiefs Drop Second Straight in Series Opener - Peoria Chiefs
- Gilbert, Naile Push Beloit Past Peoria - Beloit Sky Carp
- Comeback Stopped Short at Quad Cities - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Abreu Dazzles, Bandits Hold on for Win - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Green Gallops to Walk-Off Win - Great Lakes Loons
- Whitecaps Snap Losing Skid in 9-5 Win - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Hot Rods Drop Series Opener with Whitecaps - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Donatella Directs Cougars to First Victory of Second Half - Kane County Cougars
- Loons' Walk-Off Halts Lugs' Winning Streak - Lansing Lugnuts
- Lake County Tops South Bend 6-1 - South Bend Cubs
- Dragons Snatch Series Opener, 5-0 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Dragons Notch Shutout Win in Fort Wayne, 5-0 - Dayton Dragons
- Bees Rally Falls Short at Kane County - Burlington Bees
- Tejada Joins Lugnuts - Lansing Lugnuts
- Bowman, Pickney, and Evans Concert and Car Show Start Fourth of July Weekend - Clinton LumberKings
- Bowling Green Hot Rods Game Notes ( at WM) - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Jhonatan Pena Named Midwest League Player of the Week - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- WWE Superstar to Attend Black and Brave Night at Modern Woodmen Park - Quad Cities River Bandits
- TinCaps Game Notes: June 27 vs. Dayton (Game 75) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Dragons GameDay for June 27 - Dayton Dragons
- Rice Promoted to Myrtle Beach - South Bend Cubs
- South Bend Sweeps Dayton with 11-1 Win - South Bend Cubs
- Bloomquist Tosses Gem as Cubs Beat Dragons 5-0 - South Bend Cubs
- Star from Disney Channel's Austin & Ally to Appear at Wednesday's Whitecaps Game - West Michigan Whitecaps
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