MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Battle Back over Bandits

Published on July 15, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - The Great Lakes Loons (11-12, 45-48) overcame an early five-run deficit to defeat the Quad Cities River Bandits (47-45, 12-11) by the score of 8-6 Sunday at Dow Diamond in front of 3,603 fans.

The Loons chipped away at the Bandits five-run lead by totaling eight runs in the first three innings. The first four runs came from Bandits miscues, as shortstop Matt Williams let a grounder pass through his legs to score Darnell Sweeney from third, who tripled to leadoff the first. Then in the second, Quad Cities loaded the bases on Willy Paulino walks that the Loons cashed in for three runs.

"[Paulino] had a real live arm, but his off-speed wasn't working today," Sweeney said after the game. "So all I was doing was sitting on the fastball and trying to see it in the zone...the two fastballs that I hit were in the zone. The other off-speeds I just wasn't looking for because he wasn't throwing them for strikes."

Paulino avoided his fourth-straight loss, but left the game after only 1.2 innings of work. The Loons starter Gustavo Gomez also struggled out of the gate. The River Bandits jumped on Gomez for five runs on four hits in the first inning. The Panama-native continued, but was relieved from the game in the second inning after a four-pitch walk to Stephen Piscotty. Over his last two starts, Gomez has pitched two innings to allow 13 runs, eight earned, on 11 hits and two walks.

The Loons took the lead in the third when Loons designated hitter Jeff Hunt slapped a single to left field for two runs. Later in the inning, Jesus Arredondo followed with a two-run two-out double that put the Loons up 8-5.

The Bandits scored one more run, this one off Juan Rodriguez in the fourth. Rodriguez recorded his first win of the season for two hitless innings. Relievers Yimi Garcia, Mike Thomas and Matt Shelton combined for 5.2 scoreless innings and five strikeouts to one walk. Shelton nabbed the save.

Offensively, Sweeney recorded two of the Loons five hits in the game. Jesus Arredondo finished with three RBI.

The Great Lakes Loons will conclude their six-game homestand on Monday at Dow Diamond with a 7:05 p.m. game against the River Bandits. Starting for the Loons will be RHP Arismendy Ozoria (6-4, 4.22) against the Bandits RHP Tyrell Jenkins (1-3, 5.60). Santa Clause will be making a special midsummer appearance at the game for Christmas in July Night at Dow Diamond.

The Great Lakes Loons are a sixth-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and are in the middle of their 5th Anniversary Celebration, which kicked off in August 2011 and will continue throughout the 2012 season. For more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com or call 989-837-BALL.

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Midwest League Stories from July 15, 2012


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.

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