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MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Thrash Whitecaps to Snap Slide

July 5, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MICHIGAN - The Loons erupted for six runs in the eighth inning on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark and coasted to a 9-1 win over the West Michigan Whitecaps.

The loss halts a four-game skid for the Loons (42-37; 4-7), whose eight-run margin of victory is the largest of the season. West Michigan (40-40; 7-4) ends a three-game winning streak and the season series is now tied at 5-5.

The Loons led 3-1 at the start of the eighth. Michael Ahmed singled to start the frame off righty reliever Josh Heddinger. After Justin Chigbogu walked, Kyle Garlick tripled and the rout was on. The six runs in a single inning set a season high for the Loons, who sent 11 men to the plate in the frame.

Other offensive highlights included two home runs in the sixth inning. Ahmed blasted his first outside-the-park home run of the season on a moon shot to left off Heddinger. Two batters later, Garlick smoked a ball to the left center field wall and scored an inside-the-park home run when center fielder Derek Hill collided with left fielder Rashad Brown.

The Loons opened the scoring on a play with a bizarre ending in the first inning.

Garlick grounded a routine ball to the first baseman Will Kengor, who ranged off the line to field the ball. Kengor fed a toss to the pitcher Jeff Thompson (L, 3-8), but the ball popped out of his glove and rolled to the dugout. Alex Verdugo scored on the play and Chigbogu moved from first to third. Chigbogu then crept down the line from third and made a belated break for home when it appeared Thompson had taken his eyes off the play. The West Michigan pitcher realized Chigbogu's move in time and threw him out at home from foul territory to end the inning.

Loons' starter Matt Shelton (W, 1-0) dealt a career-high eight innings and allowed one run on two hits. The knuckleballer walked two and hit three more, but also struck out seven.

The Loons head east on I-96 to open a four-game series with the Lansing Lugnuts on Monday at 7:05 p.m. from Cooley Law School Stadium. After two games in the state capital, the series shifts to Dow Diamond on Wednesday, July 8.

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

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