MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Return to Action, But Fall in Defeat

Published on April 17, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


FORT WAYNE, Ind. - After an unanticipated four-day hiatus, the Loons resumed play on blustery Tuesday evening at Parkview Field and dropped a 7-5 decision to the Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres).

The Loons (2-7) have lost five straight, their longest April losing streak since 2008. Prior to Monday's scheduled off day, the team's last three scheduled games were all postponed due to rain and snow. It marked the first time in Loons' history since 2015 in which a series had been postponed in its entirety.

Right-hander Melvin Jimenez (L, 0-1) started the game for the Loons in 37-degree temperatures and exhibited the issue that has plagued much of the Loons' pitching staff this season: command. Jimenez walked three batters, hit another and threw a wild pitch as Fort Wayne grabbed a 4-0 lead with one out in the first inning. The 18-year-old threw 12 of 32 pitches for strikes, faced eight batters and departed the ballgame after one-third of an inning of work.

Marshall Kasowski entered the game from the bullpen in the first inning with the bases loaded and walked the first two batters he faced. This brought the Loons first-inning walk total to five and inflated Fort Wayne's advantage to 6-0.

Were it not for the sluggish start, the Loons would have a definite chance to win the ballgame. Kasowski retired his final eight batters, and at one point, fanned six straight TinCaps. The Loons bullpen effort of Kasowski, righty Zach Pop and southpaw Devin Hemmerich allowed one unearned run and two hits after the first inning with two walks and seven strikeouts in that span.

Offensively, the Loons outhit the TinCaps 12-5, but did not score until the sixth inning when Zach McKinstry scalded a fastball from starter Nick Margevicius (W, 1-0) over the wall down the right-field line for a three-run home run. It was McKinstry's first home run of the season and part of a three-hit night in front of friends and family from McKinstry's hometown of Fort Wayne. Drafted in the 33rd round of the 2016 Draft out of Central Michigan, McKinstry graduated from Fort Wayne's North Side High School.

The Loons shaved two more runs off the Fort Wayne lead in the ninth inning when Nick Yarnall lofted a changeup from Adrian Martinez over the wall in right as well, but the Loons' night was capped at five runs.

After a quick turnaround, the Loons return to Parkview Field for an 11 a.m. first pitch against Fort Wayne in game two of the three-game set. The will return to Dow Diamond for a seven-game homestand April 20-26 against the West Michigan Whitecaps and the TinCaps.

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.

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Midwest League Stories from April 17, 2018


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