MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Snap Losing Streak with Win over Dragons on School Kids Day

May 7, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - Loons pitcher Zachary Bird admits that Wednesday's delayed start caught him off guard.

Not that it showed in his results, however.

Bird was rousted from his sleep in the Loons' clubhouse a half-hour before the School Kids Day game at Dow Diamond, and then worked his way through a shaky first inning against Dayton. But after that, the 19-year-old right-hander was nearly untouchable in the Loons 8-1 win in front of 5,009 fans.

"I was told that the game wasn't going to start until 1, so I was asleep," he said. "But then someone came in and said, 'Get ready Bird, the game starts in a half hour.'"

Originally scheduled for 10:35 a.m., the game was delayed 44 minutes because of rain. Bird (2-4) allowed a first-inning run to the Dragons - who were going for a three-game sweep - but allowed only one baserunner over the next five innings as he put together his third consecutive strong start.

He also benefitted by the Loons' offense waking from its own slumber. The Loons were shutout in the first two games of the series, and were still scoreless over the first four innings Wednesday, but scored five runs in the fifth and sixth innings combined to break the Dragons' pitching spell - and to snap a season-high six-game losing streak.

Third baseman Paul Hoenecke broke the game open with a three-run homer in the sixth inning that gave the Loons a 5-1 lead. His homer came off of Dayton starter Sal Romano, who'd held the Loons scoreless in a start against them two weeks ago.

But it all started with Bird, who gave up three hits in six innings while striking out four and walking one. He's only allowed three earned runs in his last 17 innings pitched.

"It's all about fastball command," said Loons pitching coach Bill Simas. "You have to be able to command the fastball down in the zone or you can't make it to the higher levels. He's done that, and everything's fallen in place."

Bird walked Dragons' leadoff hitter Jeff Gelalich to start the game. Sammy Diaz followed with a soft single. Bird got the next batter, Tanner Rahier, to hit into a double play, but a single by Phil Ervin drove home the game's first run. But it was the only damage against Bird, who retired 15 of the last 16 hitters he faced.

"He (Bird) is just a great competitor," said Loons manager Bill Haselman. "He just comes after people. I'd take a guy like that on my team every time.

"He's still young, he's still learning, but he works hard at it."

Victor Araujo relieved Bird to start the seventh and pitched two perfect innings. Mark Pope pitched a perfect ninth to close out the win as Loons pitchers retired the final 20 Dayton batters in order.

Romano (3-2) limited the Loons to two hits over the first four innings but a two-out error by shortstop Carlton Daal in the fifth changed everything. Spencer Navin, who reached first on Daal's miscue, stole second, and then beat a throw to the plate to score on Dillon Moyer's single. Jesmuel Valentin then singled home Moyer for a 2-1 lead.

Romano then hit Jacob Scavuzzo with a pitch to start the sixth. Kyle Farmer followed with a double, putting runners on second and third, before Hoenecke drove a Romano pitch over the wall in rightfield to give the Loons breathing room.

The Loons added three more runs in the eighth off of Dragons' reliever Evan Mitchell. Hoenecke led off the inning with a double and scored on a one-out single by Webster Rivas. Rivas eventually would score on a wild pitch, while Moyer singled home another run.

Now 16-17, the Loons start a three-game series tomorrow in South Bend. Victor Arano (2-1, 3.5) gets the start for the Loons. The Loons return home next Monday night to begin a seven-game homestand which kicks off against the West Michigan Whitecaps.

The Great Lakes Loons are an eighth-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For tickets and more information, call 989-837-BALL or visit loons.com.

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