MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Keep Pace in Playoff Race

Published on June 17, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - The automatic postseason berth that comes with the elusive top two spots in the Midwest League Eastern Division standings might not be captured until the final day of the first half of the regular season.

Yet, it is becoming progressively likely that the Great Lakes Loons will be one of the teams to secure their postseason destiny early and complete the impressive mid-season turnaround that has earned the respect of both fans and league-wide critics.

The Loons (37-27) kept pace in the league's dynamic playoff race with a 4-3 victory over the Lake County Captains on Wednesday night at Dow Diamond.

Designated hitter Julian Leon blasted a one-out line drive RBI single to left field during the bottom of the 8th inning, giving Great Lakes a one-run lead it did not relinquish. Loons reliever Kyle Hooper (3-0) retired all three batters during the top of the 9th inning and earned the win. Lake County's Nick Pasquale (1-1) took the loss.

"I was looking for a slider," Leon said of his go-ahead hit. "I just reacted and got a hit. I've been feeling really good the last week. We are a pretty together team. We've been working really hard. We're looking for the playoffs and I'm pretty sure we'll make it."

The other two teams vying for the top two spots in the Eastern Division, the Lansing Lugnuts and Bowling Green Hot Rods are playing in Lansing this week. The Lugnuts took the second game of that series 5-3 on Wednesday when the game was called in the 8th inning due to rain.

"I take it day by day. I don't think about the other teams," said Loons manager Luis Matos. "If we take care of business, we don't need to wait for somebody else to lose so we can make it."

The Captains (34-30) made their first attempt at taking the lead late in the game when Claudio Bautista led the 8th inning off with a triple. But, Hooper used back-to-back strikeouts and a fly ball to centerfield to escape the inning unscathed.

First baseman Justin Chigbogu, who was called up from extended spring training earlier this week, gave the Loons their first lead of the game with one of the longest home runs hit at Dow Diamond this season.

The right-handed batter crushed a 422-foot towering blast to dead centerfield during the bottom of the 1st inning as Great Lakes jumped out to an early 1-0 lead.

Back-to-back base hits during the bottom of the 3rd inning gave Midwest League All-Star and Great Lakes starting pitcher Grant Holmes some breathing room.

After Leon was hit by a pitch to start the inning, newcomer Cristian Gomez slapped a fastball from Lake County starter Thomas Pannone into the right centerfield gap, scoring Leon on an RBI triple. Second baseman Kelvin Ramos managed a base hit to almost exactly the same spot during the next at bat and Great Lakes bulked its lead up to 3-0.

Initially struggling to make solid contact, the Captains finally got to Holmes during the bottom of the 6th inning.

A leadoff double by Greg Allen started Lake County off. Then an infield single and advance to second on an errant throw to second base by Holmes moved the tying two runs to scoring position with no outs.

Holmes' day ended after surrendering a 2 RBI double down the left field line to Bautista, whose timely hit tied the game at 3-3.

Holmes surrendered four hits and three earned runs while striking out six during his five innings of work. He did not receive a decision.

The third and final game of the series is set for 7:05 p.m. Thursday. The Loons send Derrick Sylvester to the mound with a 1-0 record and 3.52 earned run average. He will oppose Captains starter Justus Sheffield, who is 4-1 with a 5.96 ERA.

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 17, 2015


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.

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