Holy Cow: Hawks Soar over Loons with Four Home Runs in 10-8 Win

May 9, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


First baseman Daniel Palka launched two home runs to stake the South Bend Silver Hawks (18-16) to an early lead before the Hawks bullpen held off a late rally to earn a 10-8 win over the Great Lakes Loons (16-18) on Thursday night at Four Winds Field. Palka drove in four runs in the first three innings and was aided by homers from third baseman Joe Munoz and right fielder Stryker Trahan.

Great Lakes, the Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the top of the first inning. Second baseman Jesmuel Valentin led off the game by reaching first on a fielding error by Munoz. Center fielder Jacob Scavuzzo then crushed an 0-2 offering from Hawks starter Hector Hernandez over the left-center field wall for a two run homer. Hernandez settled down and struck out the next three batters swinging to end the inning.

The Loons did not hold the lead for long as South Bend, the Class-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, struck back with three quick runs in the bottom of the inning. With one out, second baseman Jamie Westbrook singled to right field and Munoz followed with a single to center. Palka then fell behind 1-2 but crushed the next pitch he saw from Loons starter Victor Arano (L, 2-2) the opposite way over the left-center field wall for a 3-2 lead.

Great Lakes tied the game in the bottom of the second inning. First baseman Josmar Cordero led off with a single to center but he was thrown out at second 8-3-6 for the first out of the inning. Left fielder Alex Santana beat out an infield single and catcher Spencer Navin lined a single to left to put runners at first and second with one out. Shortstop Dillon Moyer, the son of ex-major league pitcher Jamie Moyer, hit a high hopper to third that kicked off the glove of Munoz for his second error of the game. Santana came around to score and the game was tied at 3. Hernandez induced Valentin to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning to prevent any further damage.

The Hawks took the lead for good in the bottom of the third as they launched three homers in the inning off Arano. Shortstop Andrew Velazquez led off with an infield single. Westbrook struck out for the first out of the inning. Munoz then hit a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall for a two-run homer and a 5-3 Hawks lead. Palka followed Munoz and hit the second pitch he saw over the right field wall and off the scoreboard as the Hawks went back-to-back for a 6-3 lead. Designated hitter George Roberts kept the line moving with an infield single and Trahan followed by crushing a 2-2 pitch over the left field fence to extend the lead to 8-3.

The Loons got one back in the top of the fourth inning. Santana led off with a line drive double down the right field line. Navin then singled to left and the ball was bobbled by left fielder Chuck Taylor, allowing Santana to score and cut the lead to 8-4. Navin tried to advance to second on the bobble but was thrown out 7-5-4.

The Loons continued to put up runs and cut the lead to 8-6 with a pair in the top of the fifth inning. Hernandez retired the first two batters he faced in the inning. Right fielder Joey Curletta hit the first pitch of the at bat down the left field line and over the fence for a solo homer that cut the Hawks lead to three. Cordero followed with a single and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Santana lined a single to right to score Cordero, cut the lead to 8-6, and knock Hernandez out of the game after 4 2/3 innings.

The Hawks got a run back in the bottom of the fifth to give themselves some breathing room. Trahan led off the inning by striking out on a ball in the dirt but took first and continued on to second base when the catcher's throw went wide of first and into right field. Taylor beat out an infield single that put runners at the corners with no outs. Catcher B.J. Lopez hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Trahan and give the Hawks a 9-6 lead.

Great Lakes made it too close for comfort in the top of the sixth as the lead was cut to one. Moyer led off with a walk against Hawks reliever Will Locante. He stole second base during Valentin's at bat before Valentin struck out for the first out of the inning. Scavuzzo grounded out to second for the second out of the inning while Moyer went over to third base. Designated hitter Kyle Farmer then cut the lead to one with one swing of the bat as he launched the ball to deep left for a two-run homer and a 9-8 Hawks lead.

Jake Roberts (W, 1-0) entered the game for the Hawks in the top of the seventh inning and pitched a clean inning to earn the win. The Hawks gave their bullpen a cushion with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Trahan led off with a single to center. Taylor followed with a single to left that put runners at the corners. Lopez then blooped a single down the right field line just in front of the charging right fielder that scored Trahan for the 10th South Bend run of the game. That lead would hold up as Daniel Gibson and Silvino Bracho (S, 1) combined to keep the Loons off the scoreboard in the final two innings.

The Silver Hawks and Loons continue the fireworks Friday night at Four Winds Field. Luis Chirinos (2-2, 6.83) gets the start for Great Lakes. Adam Miller (2-0, 3.14) will take the mound for South Bend. Friday is Strikeout Stroke Night Presented by Memorial Hospital and Genentech USA. Stick around after the game for the Silver Hawks' famous fireworks spectacular presented by 1st Source Bank and WNDU.



Midwest League Stories from May 9, 2014


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