MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Continue Hot Streak in Return Home

July 24, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - The Great Lakes Loons (48-54, 21-11) opened a six-game homestand by winning the first game of a three-game series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods (59-41, 21-11) on Wednesday night at Dow Diamond. With the 5-1 win, Great Lakes is now tied with Bowling Green for first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division.

"The simple fact is we're pitching really well and we're swinging the bats really well," Loons manager Razor Shines said. "When those two things are working together, you're usually going to win. Right now, we're doing both well. You have to tip your hat to my coaches Mike Eylward and Bill Simas. Those guys have been working their butts off all year. And now we're beginning to reap some of the benefits."

The Loons got on the scoreboard first, scoring in the fourth inning. Eight-hitter Jeremy Rathjen doubled off the left-center field wall to drive in Tyler Ogle for the first run of the ballgame.

Bowling Green tied the game in the top of the fifth inning, with shortstop Brandon Martin coming home on a Joey Rickard double that hit the center field wall on one hop.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' No. 14 prospect, James Baldwin, hit a bases-clearing double in the bottom of the fifth to give Great Lakes a lead that they would not give up. Baldwin was 2-for-3 in the game.

"My plan against left-handers is that they're going to throw middle-away," Baldwin said. "This year, I'm just waiting for the ball to come to me and put a good swing on it."

"Mike Eylward has been working with Baldwin since day one and we're finally beginning to see the work pay off," Shines added. "James is swinging the bat better than anyone we have on this team and I'm really happy for him."

Tom Windle (2-0), who the Dodgers selected in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft, started for the Loons and picked up the win. Windle went five innings and gave up one run on six hits, while striking out four and issuing no walks.

"In that fifth inning, those things are going to happen," Windle said. "You just need to try to minimize the damage and get one out at a time. It worked out when they had guys on first and third to where I got two outs without letting up a run."

The Tampa Bay Rays' No. 7 prospect, Blake Snell (3-7), started for Bowling Green and pitched five innings. Snell gave up four runs, all earned, on seven hits and took credit for the loss. Snell struck out six and walked four.

Great Lakes added their fifth run of the game in the seventh inning. Leo Rodriguez, who went 3-for-3, with a double and a walk, led off with a single and scored on an Aaron Miller double.

The Loons got four innings of scoreless relief from their bullpen, including two innings from Crayton Bare and one inning from both Owen Jones and Craig Stem.

Jose Molina pitched three innings of relief for the Hot Rods, giving up one run on four hits, with one strikeout and no walks.

Aaron Miller and Tyler Ogle both reached base multiple times for Great Lakes. Miller had a double and two walks, while Ogle had a single and a walk.

Thomas Coyle and Justin O'Conner each had multi-hit games for Bowling Green.

The Loons play the second game of a three-game home series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Thursday at Dow Diamond, with the winner taking sole possession of first place in the MWL Eastern Division. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Miguel Sulbaran (6-2, 3.20 ERA) is expected to start for Great Lakes, while Dylan Floro (7-2, 1.80), a 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher from Merced, Calif., is slated to pitch for Bowling Green. Along with $1 Family Feast Night, Thursday is also 4-H Night and Fellowship Day at Dow Diamond.

The Great Lakes Loons are a seventh-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For tickets and more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com or call 989-837-BALL.

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Midwest League Stories from July 24, 2013


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