MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Trounce First Place Silver Hawks

Published on June 8, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - The Great Lakes Loons (21-40) ended their eight-game home losing streak in a big way, beating the first-place South Bend Silver Hawks (42-18) by a score of 15-1 on Saturday night at Dow Diamond. Great Lakes scored all 15 of their runs in the first four innings and put at least three runs on the board in each of the first four frames, ending South Bend's eight-game winning streak in the process.

"Tonight was extremely good to see," Loons manager Razor Shines said. "All of the guys' hard work is beginning to pay off. These guys get out early every day and bust their butts. (Mike Eylward) is out there early every day with these guys, in the cage working with them, and we're finally beginning to reap some of the benefits. It's all the hard work finally showing up."

The Loons scored in the first inning for the third consecutive game, putting three early runs on the board. Leadoff hitter Robbie Garvey started the inning with an infield single before stealing second base and advancing to third on a throwing error by South Bend catcher Steven Rodriguez. Garvey scored on a Leo Rodriguez groundball. Kevin Taylor, who was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two runs batted in, scored the second run of the inning on a Corey Seager single and Ogle scored on an Aaron Miller single.

Garvey had a big night, going 3-for-3, with one walk, one RBI and four runs scored.

"Last night and tonight, our mindset has shifted," Garvey said. "We've got some momentum and everybody is feeling good. You can only take talking about loses so much, we're sick and tired of it. We're having good at-bats and everybody is buying in to having a good approach and doing things the right way."

Great Lakes opened up a big lead in the second inning with a five-run frame. Garvey scored on a Kevin Taylor single for the first run of the game and Seager, who was 2-for-4 with two RBI, doubled to score Rodriguez. Aaron Miller, who was 2-for-5 with four RBI, drove in the last three runs of the frame on a 373-foot three-run home run to right field.

"We've just been working on some mechanical things for me," Miller said. "I was just able to recognize some good pitches. I was able to use my hands well, put the ball in play, and a few of them were fairly hard hit."

South Bend starting pitcher Brad Allen took the loss, giving up eight runs on nine hits in two innings. Allen struck out two and walked one.

The Loons sealed the game in the third, with a three run inning to extend the lead to 11-0. With the bases loaded, cleanup hitter Tyler Ogle reached on an infield single that scored James Baldwin, but a throwing error by Silver Hawks third baseman Brandon Drury allowed Garvey and Taylor to score.

Zachary Bird started for the Loons and held the Silver Hawks scoreless in three innings of work, while giving up just one hit. Bird struck out four and walked three.

Great Lakes added four more runs in the home half of the fourth inning. Baldwin doubled to left-center field to drive in right fielder Jeremy Rathjen, who was 2-for-4 with a walk. Baldwin scored on a single from nine-hitter Jose Capellan, who scored on a Garvey double. Garvey scored the last run of the frame on a Taylor single.

Silver Hawks reliever J.R. Bradley struggled after coming in for Allen, giving up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings. Bradley walked three and struck out one.

South Bend scored their only run of the game in the fifth. Leadoff hitter Andrew Velazquez, who was 2-for-5, scored on a Drury sacrifice fly.

Geoff Brown pitched three innings in relief to get the win for the Loons. Brown gave up one run on two hits, while issuing one walk. Scott Griggs threw 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and Owen Jones added 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to finish the game for Great Lakes.

The Loons will attempt to pick up their fourth consecutive win on Sunday afternoon in the second game of a three-game series with South Bend at Dow Diamond. Game time is 3:05 p.m. Miguel Sulbaran (2-2, 5.26 ERA) is the projected starter for the Loons and Jesse Darrah (6-3, 3.00) is expected to start for the Silver Hawks. It will be a Family Fun in the SUNday at Dow Diamond, along with a Pre-Game Youth Baseball Clinic and a Post-Game Kids Run the Bases.

The Great Lakes Loons are a seventh-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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