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MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Sweep in Double Dip; Win Series

July 5, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - The Great Lakes Loons took two from South Bend Monday night, scoring six runs on nine hits in both outings to win the four-game series against the Silver Hawks before playing Tuesday night's finale.

In Game 1, Loons starter Matt Magill got into trouble in the first inning after giving up a two-out walk to Bobby Borchering. The next three S-Hawks found hits off of Magill, each scoring a run to put South Bend up 3-0 before Matt Helm hit a pop fly to right field to end the inning.

The Loons offensive had three scoreless frames, but finally got to South Bend's hurler, Andrew Wolcott, in the fourth inning. With one out, Blake Smith grabbed his second hit of the game, reaching first on a base hit to centerfield. Smith advanced to third on a single by Jaime Ortiz and then designated hitter Brian Cavazos-Galvez cleared the bases with a three-run homer to left field that leveled the game.

In the following inning, Smith doubled the Loons score with a three-run of his own. Scoring on the homer was Nick Buss, who reached first on a single to left, and Angelo Songco who was walked.

"Those two guys (Smith and Galvez), they've been coming through," Matt Magill said after the game. "Our infielders get on and our outfielders just seem to hit them in; it's huge. Our offense...they keep us in there every game."

Because the Loons took the lead before the end of the fifth, Magill (4-1, 3.32) qualified for his fourth win of the season, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings. Loons reliever Steve Smith picked up his fifth save with two hitless innings, while Wolcott (0-1, 9.00) pitched a six-inning complete-game in the losing effort.

The S-Hawks got ahead in the first inning of Game 2 as well, when center fielder Keon Broxton scored from third on a David Nick groundout. But the Loons again answered, scoring two runs when Smith smashed his fourth consecutive hit of the evening out of the park.

The Loons bats continue to strike, as Rafael Ynoa hit an RBI-single in the third that brought in Gorman Erickson, who reached third on a triple to right. Then in the fourth, Great Lakes tacked on three more runs, getting one on the Cavazos-Galvez's second homer of the night, and the other two from a Buss single to right.

Things got heated in the fifth, with two men on and no outs. Loons first baseman Jaime Ortiz hit a slow roller up the first-base line, which South Bend's relief pitcher Bradin Hagens went to field. Just as he stood up in the base path with the fair ball, Ortiz knocked him off of his feet. Hagens immediately got up and gave Ortiz a shove, which cleared both dugouts. Nothing much happened as both clubs yapped at each other in one giant huddle amidst the infield. When the two sides were separated, home plate umpire Matt Deane ejected Hagens, but not Ortiz. That's when Silver Hawks manager Mark Haley got involved, feverishly disputing the call. Haley was ejected along with pitching coach Wellington Cepada. On their way off the field, Haley tossed his batting helmet towards his dugout and Hagens chucked a baseball over the Northern Lights Pavilion of Dow Diamond.

The game resumed, with Brian Budrow taking Hagens' place, who allowed two hits in a third of an inning. Loons Game 2 starter Rubby de la Rosa was credited with the win for limiting South Bend to one run on seven hits and twirling eight strikeouts along the way. Reliever Jordan Roberts allowed one run in the seventh on two hits, before closing out the twin billing.

Smith finished the night going 5 for 6 with three runs, five RBI and two jacks. Cavazos-Galvez went 2 for 6, knocking two homers for four Loons runs.

With the two wins Monday, the Loons improve their 2010 record against South Bend to 16-1, outscoring the S-Hawks 103-42.

The Loons will play the final game of their four-game series Tuesday against the South Bend Silver Hawks. RHP Elisaul Pimentel (8-3, 2.47) gets the nod for the Loons, while RHP Brad Wilson will throw for South Bend. Tuesday at Dow Diamond is $1 Family Feast Night, presented by Chemical Bank.

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