MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Hold On for 7-5 Win

Published on September 4, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - The Loons extended their winning streak to five games Saturday night, defeating the Bowling Green Hot Rods 7-5 on a six-run first inning and a big-time save from Luis Vasquez.

Vasquez entered the game in the ninth inning as the Loons closing pitcher with a 7-4 lead, but quickly made things interesting by walking the first two batters he faced. He got the first out on a called strikeout on second baseman Kyle Spraker, who initially got the Hot Rods on the board with a solo homer in the fifth inning.

Vasquez delivered another walk to load the bases and then struck out Ty Morrison for out number two. The right-handed Dominican offered the Hot Rods another walk, his fourth, to score another run for Bowling Green and make it 7-5.

"Well, he was trying to get the save for No. 20," Loons manager Juan Bustabad explained. "And we were going to give him one more batter [to finish]. If not, [Steve] Ames would have come in."

Ames did not enter the game though, as Vasquez was able to finish the job with his fourth pitch to Brett Nommensen that sent a soft liner to shortstop Christian Lara and granted the Loons their 89th win.

Early on, the Loons jumped all over the Hot Rods, batting around in the first to score six runs on five hits. Designated hitter J.T. Wise started the scoring spree by slapping a soft fly down the first-base line that dropped in fair territory to score two runs. Wise scored on an error by left fielder Dustin Biell, dropping Blake Smith's groundball single.

The score continued to increase as the inning rolled on, with Jaime Ortiz tripling in Smith; Rafael Ynoa lifting a pop-up single behind the infield to score Ortiz; and Brian Ruggiano doubling in Ynoa.

Apart from the first inning, the Loons only added a run in the eighth on Ynoa's sacrifice-fly. Meanwhile, Bowling Green hit two home runs off of Loons starter Josh Wall (9-7, 4.24), who picked up his ninth win in the effort. The current Midwest League strikeout leader extended his count to 151 with eight against the H-Rods.

The Loons play their second-to-last game of the regular season on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Starting for the Loons is LHP Ryan Christenson (2-1, 7.67) against the Hot Rods RHP Yorman Mayora (1-2, 5.79). It's Garage Sale Night at Dow Diamond and Family Fun in the SUNday. After the game, kids will be allowed to run the bases.

The Great Lakes Loons are a fourth-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.

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics

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



Midwest League Stories from September 4, 2010


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