MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Post 3-1 Win over Lansing

Published on August 1, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - Zachary Bird gave the Great Lakes Loons exactly what they - and he - needed Friday. So did Webster Rivas.

Bird pitched 5 1 /3 strong innings to earn his first win since June 13 while Rivas provided all the runs the Loons needed in a 3-1 win over Lansing at Dow Diamond. The was the second in a row for the Loons, who enter the season's final month in the middle of a six-team race for two Midwest League Eastern Division playoff spots.

Now 19-21, the Loons came into Friday's game just a half-game behind Lake County for the second playoff spot.

Bird, now 5-12, helped ease the workload for a weary Loons pitching staff that endured two extra-inning games in the just-completed three-game series with Fort Wayne, including a 13-inning marathon Thursday night. He surrendered five hits and struck out seven.

"We really needed him to go at least into the sixth inning and he did just that," said Loons manager Bill Haselman. "He was really strong tonight."

Haselman pulled Bird after the Lugnuts put two runners on base in the sixth with one out. By then, Bird had thrown 88 pitches in one of his strongest outings of the season.

"My fastball was my best pitch tonight," said Bird, who's ranked by MLB.com among the Los Angeles Dodgers top 20 prospects. "I was able to command it and mix in my changeup and curveball. It feels good to win. That's why you go out there."

Ralston Cash relieved Bird and, as he's been for nearly the entire last month, was all but untouchable. He pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings - the sixth appearance in a row in which he hasn't allowed a run - and struck out five batters. Victor Araujo gave up two hits in the bottom of the ninth but held the Lugnuts scoreless to earn his sixth save.

Lansing scored the game's first run on a solo homer by Mitch Nay in the top of the fourth, but the lead didn't last long. Lugnuts starter Starlyn Suriel walked Paul Hoenecke and Alex Santana in the bottom of the inning before Rivas launched a long home run to left, his fourth longball of the season.

"I was looking for a fastball and he gave it to me," said Rivas. "It was just see the ball, hit the ball."

Suriel (0-1) took the loss for Lansing, which fell to 18-23 in the second half.

Game two of the series will be Saturday night (7:05 p.m.) with Victor Arano (4-5, 4.33 ERA) getting the pitching start for the Loons. Lansing will counter with left-hander Brent Powers (3-3, 5.25).

There will be a variety of activities at the ballpark tomorrow night, including a Fireworks Loontacular, powered by Dow Corning. In addition, Lou E. Loon will host his Big Top Loontacular, while it will also be Back to School Night, presented by Central Michigan University.

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Midwest League Stories from August 1, 2014


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