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MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Rally in Ninth

May 27, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


FORT WAYNE, IN - Christian Lara doubled down the first base line in the top of the ninth inning to drive home the go-ahead run and lead the Great Lakes Loons to a 3-2 win over the Fort Wayne Tincaps. Both of the Loons ninth-inning runs were unearned.

It was the Loons 15th come-from-behind win of the season. Combined with Lansing's loss to West Michigan, the Loons retake second place in the Midwest League East, ½ game ahead of the Lugnuts and three games behind first-place Lake County.

Will Savage (4-1) threw eight solid innings for the win. The reigning league pitcher of the week walked a career-high three batters but allowed just six hits and two runs striking out three. Had the Loons not come back in the ninth, he would have recorded his second straight complete game. Luis Vasquez threw a scoreless ninth inning after the Loons took the lead for his ninth save.

With the game scoreless into the sixth, Savage surrendered three singles and a sacrifice fly to put Fort Wayne ahead 2-0.

The Loons came back with a run in the seventh. After a leadoff double by Gorman Erickson, Lenell McGee drove him in on a single to left field.

Then in the ninth trailing by a run against the Tincaps closer Nick Schumacher (2-2), Erickson led off with a walk. Jaime Ortiz followed with a sharp ground ball to shortstop, but instead of turning a double play Dean Anna misplayed the ground ball. He then flipped the ball high to second to allow pinch runner Brian Ruggiano to advance to third. The play went as a double error on Anna. McGee followed with a walk to load the bases with no outs. Rafael Ynoa hit a chopper to second base that Jeudy Valdez turned into a double play, but Ruggiano scored the tying run and Ortiz advanced to third. One batter later, Lara doubled past new first baseman Nate Freiman for the go-ahead run.

Friday night, the Loons return to Dow Diamond for the start of a 10-game homestand beginning with the first of four with the division-leading Lake County Captains. Game time Friday is 7:05pm. Tickets are available by calling the Loons at 989-837-BALL or by visiting Loons.com. The game will feature a post-game fireworks Loontacular powered by Dow Corning. Right-handed pitcher Elisaul Pimentel (3-3, 3.32) is scheduled to start for the Loons against left-hander Matt Packer (2-2, 2.86).

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