Loons Rally Again in Ninth for 4-3 Win Over Clinton
Published on July 31, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release
MIDLAND, MI - For the second night in a row, the Great Lakes Loons staged a ninth inning rally to rescue a win, scoring twice in the frame for a come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Clinton LumberKings in the opener of a three-game series at Dow Diamond. Another sellout crowd of 5,223 saw the Loons score all four of their runs in the final three innings for their fourth consecutive win on this homestand.
Trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Loons got on the board with a solo home run by Matt Wallach. It was the only run allowed by Clinton starter Bobby LaFromboise in his seven strong innings of work.
Dee Gordon created a run in the eighth inning with his speed. After reaching on a bunt single to first base, Gordon sped around to third on an errant pickoff throw by LumberKings' reliever Jose Jimenez. He scored on a groundout by Jaime Pedroza to pull the Loons within one entering the ninth inning.
Some exceptional defense in the top half of the ninth inning kept it a one-run game before the Loons final turn at bat. Nick Buss made a diving catch in deep left-center field for the first out of the inning, and Angelo Songco made a running catch just above his shoetops for the final out of the inning to prevent a LumberKing runner from scoring from third base.
One pitch to Tony Delmonico was all it took for the Loons to tie the game in the bottom half of the ninth. He greeted new Clinton hurler Matt Renfree with a no-doubt home run to deep left to square the game at 3-3.
The next batter, Alfredo Silverio, walked and was then sacrificed to second by Wallach. Loons manager Juan Bustabad elected to pinch-hit Midwest League home run leader Kyle Russell with a runner in scoring position and one out, but LumberKings manager Scott Steinmann intentionally walked Russell to face Songco, last night's ninth inning hero. Songco sent a high fly ball to left that was misplayed by Jake Shaffer and the error loaded the bases for Buss. He delivered a sharp ground ball to first. Nate Tenbrink dove and knocked the ball down, but all he could do was tag the base for the second out of the inning as Silverio crossed the plate with the winning run.
The comeback made a winner of Loons reliever Jordan Pratt, who pitched three hitless and scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Great Lakes starter Justin Miller turned in a quality start, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits in six innings of work. It was Miller's final start for the Loons, as he was promoted to Inland Empire (High-A) of the California League following the ballgame.
The Loons have now won five straight at Dow Diamond and 12 of their 14 home contests in the second half.
The Loons and LumberKings are back at Dow Diamond for game two of their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Loons right-handers Ethan Martin (4-5, 4.10) and Nathan Eovaldi (2-4, 3.48) will both pitch for Great Lakes against Lumberkings left-hander Anthony Vasquez in his Midwest League debut. Following the game, the Loons will have another post-game fireworks Loontacular, powered by Dow Corning, and tickets are available by calling 989-837-BALL or logging on to Loons.com.
The Great Lakes Loons are the third-year Single-A affiliate 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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