MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Bowl Over Whitecaps With Rally

Published on May 5, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - A six-run fourth inning, capped off by Angelo Songco separating the ball from West Michigan Whitecaps catcher Eric Roof on a play at the plate, rallied the Great Lakes Loons to an 8-6 win over the Whitecaps in the second game of a three-game series on Wednesday night at Dow Diamond.

Loons shortstop Christian Lara had two big blows for the Loons offense, driving a two-run homer in the third inning to start Great Lakes' comeback and lofting a double to left field off the glove of Whitecaps outfielder Luis Salas to score the tying runs in the pivotal bottom of the fourth inning. Songco followed with an RBI double down the right field line to score Lara that gave the Loons a 7-6 lead, then provided an insurance run by barreling over Whitecaps catcher Eric Roof and knocking the ball free on a single by Blake Smith.

The Loons trailed 6-0 after two and a half innings, their largest deficit of the season. Michael Rockett got the Whitecaps on the board first, doubling with one out in the second and advancing the final two bases on a pair of wild pitches by Loons starter Josh Wall. Rockett then finished off the ‘Caps five-run third inning with a three-run home run to straightaway center field.

Highly touted prospect Jacob Turner started for the Whitecaps after being activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, and the 18-year old right-hander, ranked the Detroit Tigers No. 1 prospect by Baseball America, was perfect through his first two innings. But an error to start the third inning put Austin Yount on base, and allowed Lara to bat later in the frame with two outs. After falling behind 2-0 to Lara, Turner watched as Lara turned around a belt-high fastball and drove it over the right field wall for a homer, the first Turner has allowed in his brief professional career.

Turner allowed back-to-back singles with one out in the fourth inning, but with two down and having reached his allotted pitch count, he was pulled and replaced by Nate Newman. Loons designated hitter Lenell McGee greeted Newman with a two-RBI single, and after a walk to Rafael Ynoa, Lara and company delivered the game-deciding runs.

Justin Miller picked up the win for the Loons in relief of Wall, working 1 2/3 innings and wriggling out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning. Andy Suiter got a key out with the bases loaded in the fifth to preserve the newly acquired lead, then pitched a scoreless sixth inning, while Steve Smith (two innings) and Luis Vasquez (one inning, save) combined on three hitless frames to finish the game. The ‘Caps Newman took the loss after failing to record an out and allowing the final four Loons runs.

The rubber game of the series will be bright and early Thursday morning, with a special 10:35 a.m. start time on the first of two School Kids Days at Dow Diamond. Loons right-hander Brett Wallach (2-0, 2.81) and Whitecaps southpaw Jade Todd (0-4, 4.44) are the scheduled starters.

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Midwest League Stories from May 5, 2010


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