MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Drop Series Finale

Published on June 18, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - For a few encouraging moments, it appeared the Great Lakes Loons were well on their way to completing a clean sweep of another Midwest League Eastern Division opponent and effectively putting themselves in prime position to claim an early playoff spot.

Instead, a few key hits by the Lake County Captains resulted in an 8-2 loss for the Loons on Thursday night at Dow Diamond.

A bloop single over the head of Great Lakes shortstop Cristian Gomez by Lake County infielder Yonathan Mendoza sparked a four-run 7th inning for the Captains that proved the difference in the Loons first loss at home in more than two weeks.

"We haven't had a game like this for like a month," said Loons manager Luis Matos. "It's going to happen. We just need to have a short memory and come back tomorrow and win a game."

The loss snapped a seven-game home winning streak for Great Lakes (37-28), which nonetheless remains a major player in a heated multi-team race for the top two divisional spots, both of which earn an automatic playoff berth.

Loons catcher Julian Leon led the 2nd inning off with a single and came around to score on a two-run home run by Jacob Scavuzzo. The left fielder's fifth home run of the season traveled 386 feet and gave Great Lakes a 2-0 lead.

"My eyes lit up," Scavuzzo said. "I put a good swing on it and it happened to go out. I've been making some adjustments with the hitting coach (Jay Gibbons)."

While the Loons used the long ball to jump out to an early lead, the Captains (35-30) used some untraditional tactics and a more sustained offensive strategy to take the lead back.

Lake County designated hitter Steven Patterson gave the Captains their first lead on an RBI groundout to second base during the top of the 3rd inning. First baseman Bobby Bradley tied the game in the 4th inning by swiping home plate on a double steal that enticed Leon to throw to second base while Bradley scored the tying run, knotting the game up 2-2.

Third baseman Grant Fink gave Lake County its first lead of the game on an RBI double down the left field line before shortstop Yonathan Mendoza added an insurance run on a bloop single good enough for a 4-3 Captains lead.

Lake County starting pitcher Justus Sheffield (6-1) earned the win while Loons starter Derrick Sylvester (1-1) took the loss.

The Loons head to the State Capital on Friday to start for crucial three-game series against the Lugnuts. Great Lakes returns home after the 2015 Midwest League All-Star Break on Thursday, June 25 to begin a four-game series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps.

Thursday is $1 Family Feast Night presented by Chemical Bank at Dow Diamond. Enjoy hot dogs, 16 oz Pepsi fountain products, ice cream sandwiches and Better Made Chips, all for just $1 each, all night long.

The Great Lakes Loons are a ninth-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 June 18, 2015


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