MWL Great Lakes Loons

July Ends with Loons Loss to West Michigan

Published on July 31, 2021 under Midwest League (MWL)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - The Great Lakes (42-35) offense was outmatched by West Michigan Saturday night, falling to the Whitecaps (36-40) at Dow Diamond by a final score of 7-4. Jonny DeLuca contributed the most efficient night offensively with 11 total bases on two homers and his first triple since joining the Loons lineup on July 23. 10 total bases on two-HRs and double for Andy Pages Friday night set a season-high, only for DeLuca's 11 a night later to top it.

DeLuca's two homers led the Loons offense, followed by a multi-hit night for Zac Ching. Joe Vranesh tripled in the bottom of the fourth, and was scored on a Brandon Lewis ground ball to put the Loons in the run column. Ryan January doubled, as Great Lakes finished with four extra-base hits.

Saturday's game teeter-tottered from the third inning through the sixth inning. Following a 'Caps two-run third, Great Lakes and West Michigan then took turns scoring a run in every half inning from the fourth through the sixth to make it a 5-3 Whitecaps lead in the seventh. West Michigan plated two runs of insurance in the top of the eighth to laminate their Saturday win.

Starter Logan Boyer held the Whitecaps scoreless through two innings, striking out two batters. Jesus Vargas (L, 5-4) set a new season-best with six strikeouts in his 3 2/3 innings, despite allowing five runs on seven hits. Andrew Shaps held WM scoreless after they scored five runs in four-straight innings. Melvin Jimenez was responsible for two late 'Caps runs on four hits in the top of the eighth, walking none and striking out two. Zack Plunkett struck out two batters in the top of the ninth, allowing no hits or walks.

Whitecaps lefty starter Adam Wolf (W, 3-2) recorded five strikeouts in five innings, surrendering two runs on six hits. Michael Beinlien and Jared Tobey contributed a combined six strikeouts in three innings, allowing two runs on four hits. Zack Hess recorded his eighth save of the series and his second of the series with the final three outs delivered, allowing no runs with a strikeout.

A back-and-forth series continued with a Saturday Loons loss. After West Michigan won Tuesday's debut, the Loons and 'Caps have alternated to win every other night off each other. Great Lakes attempts to prevent West Michigan from taking their first series against the Loons this season. The Loons entered this series with the season advantage, eight games to four, but West Michigan has won three of the five games this week.

Lake County defeated Dayton to prevent the Loons falling out of first, despite falling in three of their five games to West Michigan this week.

On their way to a Saturday win, West Michigan finished 7-for-17 with runners in scoring position, compared to the Loons' 1-for-6. The Whitecaps outhit Great Lakes for the fourth time this week, doing so in all three of their wins. Great Lakes won Friday's game, 5-4, despite being outhit by the Whitecaps, 7-6.

A six-game series concludes Sunday at Dow Diamond, first pitch scheduled for 1:05 P.M. EDT. This season, the Loons are 9-4 on Sundays. Clayton Beeter is scheduled to make team-most 19th start of the season on Sunday, attempting to force a series split against West Michigan. Opposing Beeter is West Michigan's Austin Bergner, who struck out two batters in three innings against Great Lakes on July 27.

Kids eat free every Sunday at Dow Diamond, presented by Serra Toyota of Saginaw. Sunday is also Inclusion Day, as the Great Lakes Loons and Corteva Agriscience bring together every demographic possible, serving as outreach to our community partners and non-profit organizations who support inclusion activities within the Great Lakes Bay Region. Stick around after the game for our 2nd annual exhibition game with our friends and athletes from Middle of the Mitt Miracle League!

Following the West Michigan series, the San Diego Padres' High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps invade Dow Diamond for the first time this series, beginning August 3. The Loons took four games of six against Fort Wayne from June 29-July 4.

The Great Lakes Loons have been the Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team's home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and ESPN 100.9-FM. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from July 31, 2021


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