MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Held in Check by Whitecaps

Published on May 13, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - One night after scoring a season-high 17 runs, the Great Lakes Loons were cooled off by a more typical West Michigan pitching performance.

The visiting Whitecaps, who gave up 19 hits on Monday night at Dow Diamond, held the Loons to six hits and two runs in a 4-2 victory. Starting pitcher Austin Kubitza, a fourth-round pick of the Detroit Tigers in 2013, struck out eight Loons in 5 2/3 innings and earned the respect of his opponents.

"That's probably the best movement (on pitches) on anyone I've faced in pro ball," said Loons third baseman Paul Hoenecke, who had one hits in three at bats against Kubitza. "I mean he's a guy I can see them moving up this summer."

Kubitza is now 5-0 with a 1.98 earned run average for the Whitecaps, who lead the Midwest League in several pitching categories, including ERA. But as dominant as he was at times Monday, the Loons had him on the ropes in the sixth inning after having fallen behind 4-1.

A leadoff single by Jacob Scavuzzo, a walk to Kyle Farmer and a single by Hoenecke loaded the bases against Kubitza with no outs. But Kubitza sandwiched a pair of strikeouts around a run-scoring single by Josmar Cordero, then gave way to left-handed reliever Joe Mantiply. Mantiply ended the threat by getting pinch-hitter Dillon Moyer to ground out to second.

The Loons last real threat came in the eighth when Hoenecke doubled off of Mantiply with one out. Joey Curletta, who homered in the second inning off of Kubitza, hit a long fly to left that Whitecaps' outfielder Raph Rhymes caught on the warning track after a long chase. Cordero, who came into the game hitting .550 (in four games with the Loons) then struck out.

Whitecaps closer Zac Reininger gave up a leadoff walk to Alex Santana in the ninth, but then struck out the side to nail down the victory.

The Loons dropped to 17-21 on the season while West Michigan improved to 23-15. Loons starter Zachary Bird (2-5) gave up all four Whitecaps runs, but also struck out five in six innings and did a nice job of damage control.

"Bird pitched well enough to win," said Hoenecke. "We just didn't get him enough offense."

No. 8 hitter Tim Remes drove in three of the Whitecaps runs - two on a home run in the second and another with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. Dominic Ficociello drove in West Michigan's fourth run with a one-out single in the fourth.

The two teams will have a quick turnaround as they'll play a 10:35 a.m. School Kids Day game at Dow Diamond. Victor Arano (2-2, 6.12) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Loons and will face Jon Maciel (1-0, 2.76).

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

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from May 13, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central