MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Swat Bees in Extra Innings

Published on July 13, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - A sloppy defensive game favored the Great Lakes Loons on Friday night as they beat the Burlington Bees in front of a record 5,795 Dow Diamond fans by a score of 6-5.

The Loons were forced to play catch-up on multiple occasions, such as the third inning when the Loons trailed 2-0 and James Peterson stroked a two-run double to the right-centerfield gap to tie the game at two. In the eighth, the Loons held a 4-2 advantage, only to see that lead slip away when Burlington struck for three runs in the inning highlighted by a Jeffrey Howell two-run double which helped make the score 5-4.

But in the Loons half of the eighth, the Loons would even the score at five a piece when Adolfo Gonzalez blooped in a game-tying RBI-single scoring Trayvon Robinson. In the ninth, Burlington threatened but did not score thanks to a great relay throw when Jesus Soto doubled to the wall in left field. Loons left-fielder Tommy Giles made a sharp throw to shortstop Gonzalez, who threw home in time to retire what would have been the go-ahead run in Jeffrey Bianchi to preserve the tie. The Loons would go scoreless in the ninth and would have to play extra innings.

In the first tenth inning in Loons history, Scott Van Slyke singled and advanced to second via a sacrifice bunt by Robinson. After intentionally walking Matt Berezay, Gonzalez hit what looked like an inning-ending double play. Fortunately for the Loons, Bees second baseman Kurt Mertins was unable make the play as the ball went through his legs and into right field, scoring Van Slyke and giving the Loons the 6-5 win.

There were six total errors in the ballgame, three by each team. In the end, Mertins' error proved to be the biggest as the Loons capitalized to pick up their second straight win.

James Adkins made his first professional appearance in a one-inning start for the Loons and didn't allow a run while striking out two. Steven Johnson came on to pitch four innings, allowing two runs on two hits while allowing five walks and struck out four. David Pfeiffer and Miguel Ramirez pitched in relief before Thomas Melgarejo (4-5) worked a scoreless tenth inning, enabling him to pick up his fourth win of the season.

The Bees-Loons series continues Saturday when left-hander Clayton Kershaw will get the start for Great Lakes. Game time is 7pm. Brad Golder will call the action from Midland as the game will be carried in Mid-Michigan on the flagship home of Loons Baseball, Thunder Country 100.9 WYLZ.

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics

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



Midwest League Stories from July 13, 2007


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