MWL Great Lakes Loons

Loons Rally with Five Unanswered Runs, Win Fourth Straight

Published on July 3, 2021 under Midwest League (MWL)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


FORT WAYNE, IN - Despite trailing 6-3 in the eighth, the Great Lakes Loons (29-24) rallied to defeat the Fort Wayne TinCaps (23-29) with five unanswered runs in the final two innings, 8-6 the final score at Parkview Field on Saturday night. After hitting his first Loons longball the night prior, Brandon Lewis made it his second in as many nights with a game-tying, three-run blast with two outs in the eighth inning. James Outman golfed a go-ahead homer off TinCaps reliever Edwuin Bencomo (L, 3-2), his fourth Loons HR of the season, to give GL their decisive two-run lead in the ninth. Cam Gibbens (W, 2-0) struck out five batters for the final six outs, stranding the tying run at second base.

The Loons had won three consecutive games four different times this season, slipping up in every game after until tonight's win. Saturday's win is a season-high four consecutive wins, securing the road series victory against the TinCaps. Great Lakes has now won five series this season, three of them coming away from Dow Diamond. The Loons are tied for the best road record in the High-A Central at 17-12.

Great Lakes continued a positive trend of reaching the scoreboard first again Saturday night, having scored first in the four prior games of this series in Fort Wayne. Ryan Ward and Justin Yurchak both drew two-out walks, and advanced into scoring position on a passed ball from Adam Kerner. Leonel Valera scored both Ward and Yurchak with a single into center field, giving Great Lakes an early 2-0 lead.

Clayton Beeter made his 13th start of the season, holding Fort Wayne hitless and scoreless in two innings. Jose Martinez relieved Beeter for the next 3 2/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on nine hits, both season-highs. Franklin De La Paz inherited the bases loaded and walked his first batter faced before finalizing the Martinez line with the final out of the sixth, stranding the bases loaded. Gibbens recorded the final six outs, delivering the Loons their fourth-straight win.

Fort Wayne starter Matt Waldron threw 105 pitches in seven innings Saturday night, becoming the second TinCaps starter to reach the seventh inning. Waldron struck out eight Loons batters in his seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits.

Relieving Beeter, Martinez allowed the TinCaps to nab their first lead of the night with a four-run third inning on five hits, highlighted by a Jonny Homza two-run homerun. Fort Wayne added a run in the fifth and sixth, stretching their lead to 6-3 into the eighth inning. Great Lakes overcame a 9-6 deficit Friday night with a four-run seventh, winning 10-9. With that fresh in mind, the Loons plated three in the eighth on Lewis' three-run homer, and two runs from Outman's pole shot.

Great Lakes finished with eight runs on nine hits, unable to reach 10 or more hits for the first time this series. Fort Wayne outhit the Loons with 11 hits to score six runs, committing the game's lone error. The Loons played an error-free game for the second-straight night, and the third time in this series. When playing error-free, the Loons hold an 18-5 record. Great Lakes entered Saturday 6-11 when outhit by their opponents.

The Loons can win their fifth-straight game with Sunday's series finale, with first-pitch scheduled for 6:05 P.M. EDT from Parkview Field, with Independence Day fireworks expected after the game ends. Great Lakes sends right-hander Logan Boyer to the mound for his 14th appearance of the season. In 13 2/3 innings, Boyer advertises a 1.98 ERA with 15 strikeouts and eight walks. Opposing Boyer is Fort Wayne's Gabe Mosser, making his second start of the series. Mosser holds a 4.50 earned-run average in seven starts with 41 strikeouts and 15 walks.

The Lansing Lugnuts invade Midland for the first time this season on Tuesday, July 6, to begin a six-game series at Dow Diamond. A full look at the upcoming promotional schedule and ticket information can be found at Loons.com.

The Great Lakes Loons have been the Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team's home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and ESPN 100.9-FM. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics

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



Midwest League Stories from July 3, 2021


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