Loons Can't Duck Hawks Owl Night Long

June 26, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


Towering home runs and solid pitching performances propelled the South Bend Silver Hawks (43-33) to a 3-1 victory over the Great Lakes Loons (38-39) Thursday night at Four Winds Field. Long bombs over the right field wall from first baseman Daniel Palka and catcher Michael Perez provided the runs. South Bend starter John Omahen turned in an impressive performance over six scoreless innings, before turning the game over to the bullpen to complete the 2-1 series win.

While the South Bend offense came out firing in the first, the story of the first five innings belonged to the starting pitchers. Hawks shortstop Andrew Velazquez led off the bottom of the first with a double down the left field line. With the hit he extended his streak of consecutive games of reaching base to 56. However, Loons starter Zachary Bird (L, 4-9) regrouped and kept the Hawks off the scoreboard through five innings. South Bend starting hurler, John Omahen (W, 3-2) tossed scoreless innings, surrendering no runs, giving up only two hits while striking out four.

The South Bend Silver Hawks, Class-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Center fielder Breland Almadova led off the frame with a walk. Sweet swinging first baseman Daniel Palka continued his display of power with a monstrous homer over the right field fence and into the parking lot. Palka's Midwest League leading 14th blast of the season came on a 1-2 offering from Bird and pushed the Silver Hawks in front 2-0.

The Hawks added an insurance run in the seventh. Catcher Michael Perez led off with a home run to right off Loons reliever Jordan Hershiser. South Bend's bullpen then kept the Loons at bay through the seventh and eighth. Jose Jose and Will Locante each threw a scoreless inning and combined for three strikeouts.

The Great Lakes Loons, Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, did not want to go quietly in the ninth. Hawks closer Silvino Bracho (S, 13) was on in search of his 13 save of the season. First baseman Webster Rivas led off with triple as his fly ball to center carried over Almadova's head and off the wall. A RBI ground ball to first base by third baseman Paul Hoenecke for the first out of the inning allowed Rivas to score and eliminate the chance for a shutout. The run pushed Bracho's season ERA up to 0.81. However, after a walk to center fielder Jacob Scavuzzo to bring the tying run to the plate, Bracho regained his controlled to strike out right fielder Joey Curletta and catcher Spencer Navin to secure the save and the Hawks 3-1 victory. Closing the door, Bracho moved into a tie for the saves lead in the Midwest League with Murphy Griffin of the Lansing Lugnuts.

The Hawks return to action Friday night when their Hoosier State rivals, the Fort Wayne TinCaps, the Class-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, arrive at Four Winds Field to begin a three game weekend series. Blake Perry (5-2, 3.63) gets the start for South Bend. Kyle Lloyd (2-1, 4.06) is scheduled to take the mound for Fort Wayne.

There's something for everyone at the ballpark on Friday night! Gallo Barefoot Wine presents free Barefoot Refresh wine tastings. It is Donate Life Night, presented by the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization. Visit the Donate Life booth on the concourse to register your donation decision and to enter our team jersey drawing. Special team jerseys will be given away during the game. Earn a Save, Be an Organ and Tissue Donor! It's also Boy Scout Night. The Boy Scouts will present a pre-game parade and the pre-game color guard. Scouts will receive a special Silver Hawks Scout patch and after the game will be treated to a post-game movie on the video board. The Boy Scouts will be camping out on the field overnight, and having breakfast at Four Winds Field Saturday morning.

Finally, as always, stick around after the game for the Silver Hawks' famous fireworks spectacular, presented by 1st Source Bank, WNDU and Sunny 101.5!



Midwest League Stories from June 26, 2014


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