MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Drop Series with Rattlers

Published on July 25, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - The Great Lakes Loons suffered from two ejections Monday night en route to a 6-3 loss to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, despite out-hitting the visiting team 12-10. The loss gives Wisconsin the 2-1 series win.

With two outs in the first inning, the Loons drew two walks before first baseman Chris Jacobs knocked a single into shallow right field for the initial lead. But the visiting Timber Rattlers tied it up in the third inning.

Starting Loons pitcher Greg Wilborn allowed a single to eighth hitter Joey Paciorek to lead-off and a sac-bunt moved him to second. Reggie Keen followed up with a single to right field to tie the game. Wilborn issued two walks to load the bases with only one out, but kept the Rattlers from doing any more damage in the inning by striking out the next two.

"You never want to walk anyone, and that's what I battle with," Wilborn admitted after the game. "Once I had the bases loaded I knew I had to bear down to give the team a chance to win. I made some pitches and it worked out. I'm happy with [my strikeouts] but I'm not happy with the end result, I wish we could have won that game."

Wilborn finished the night with nine strikeouts in five innings, but was charged with the loss, his first of the year. The Rattlers were able to touch the lefty in the fifth inning for two runs on two hits. Wilborn finished with 99 pitches, 58 for strikes, and two earned runs.

Wisconsin collected two more runs in the sixth inning off of reliever Ryan Acosta. With Chad Stang on first, Paciorek hit a double off the left field wall. Stang circled the bases and scored before the ball deflected away from catcher Michael Pericht. Then in an effort to field the ball, as Paciorek was heading to third, Pericht gave a shove to Stang who was standing next to the ball, which was enough for home plate umpire Dan Ratajski to eject the Loons catcher. The second run in the inning came on a sacrifice fly.

Ratajski also ejected Loons designated hitter Bobby Coyle in the seventh inning for arguing a check-swing strikeout. The Loons scored again in the seventh on another RBI-single from Jacobs. Also having a good night was Nick Akins, who went two-for-two with three walks to extend his hit streak to seven games. Jesse Bosnik homered in the ninth in his only at-bat, replacing Coyle.

The Loons will take an off day Tuesday, before beginning a new three-game set Wednesday at Dow Diamond against the South Bend Silver Hawks. Getting the start for the Loons will be RHP Garrett Gould (10-4, 2.29) against South Bend's RHP Jeff Shields (6-9, 5.08). The game will feature one of Chemical Bank's $1 Family Feast Nights, where fans attending can purchase hot dogs, 16 oz. Coke products and ice cream sandwiches for just one dollar apiece.

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

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Midwest League Stories from July 25, 2011


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