MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Win Exciting Contest over Lake County

April 8, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - The Great Lakes Loons (2-3) picked up their second consecutive win on Monday night, defeating the Lake County Captains (1-4) by a score of 6-5 in a back-and-forth affair at Dow Diamond.

"I thought we showed a lot of reserve, a lot of fight tonight," Loons manager Razor Shines. "When you get down 4-0 and a team is pitching pretty good, and you come back and win that ballgame, that tells you a lot about your ball club."

The game started slowly as both teams each sent just nine batters to the plate in the first three innings, but the Captains got on the board in a big way with three runs in the fourth inning.

In the fourth, Lake County started the inning with two singles and then three-hitter Eric Haase hit another single to bring in the first run. The second run of the inning was scored by shortstop Dorssys Paulino, who scored on a wild pitch. Haase scored the third run of the frame on a single from second baseman Joe Sever.

The Captains scored another run in the top of the fifth when third baseman Erik Gonzalez reached on a double and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

Loons starting pitcher Jonathan Martinez went five innings in his first start of the season, giving up four runs on seven hits. Martinez struck out three and did not walk anybody in a no-decision.

The Loons bounced back in the home half of the fifth by scoring four runs to tie the game. Great Lakes loaded the bases with two outs after cleanup hitter Paul Hoenecke led off with a double, James Baldwin walked and Bladimir Franco was hit by a pitch. Nine-hitter Malcolm Holland, who had two RBI, then bunted down the third-base line for a single that scored Hoenecke.

"Malcolm (Holland) bunted for the hit on his own," Shines said. "He was bunting for a base hit and it was a perfect play by a smart kid who understands the game."

Leadoff hitter Jeremy Rathjen then tied the game with a bases clearing double down the left-field line.

"I was looking for a ball up because I knew he had to throw me strikes since there wasn't a place to put me," Rathjen said. "I looked for something up and it found the bat. I was able to put a good swing it and it fell."

Dylan Baker, the Cleveland Indians No. 16 prospect, according to Baseball America, started for Lake County and went five innings, giving up four runs on three hits. He struck out seven and did not walk anybody. Baker was perfect through four innings, but had a no-decision.

Lake County went back on top with a run in the sixth when cleanup hitter Nellie Rodriguez doubled and then scored on a fielder's choice.

Great Lakes took the lead back in the bottom of the seventh with two runs. Catcher Jose Capellan tripled and then scored on a Holland groundout. Two-hitter Alexis Aguilar drove home the second run of the frame when he hit a single to left field to score Franco.

Miguel Sulbaran pitched 2.2 innings of relief and gave up just one run. He struck out six and did not walk anybody to pick up the win for the Loons. Josh Martin got the loss for the Captains. Scott Griggs pitched 1.1 scoreless innings and struck out two to get the save.

"We pitched well," Shines said. "Sulbaran came in and pitched well, and Griggs was lights out. He was phenomenal tonight."

Hoenecke had a multi-hit game for the Loons, going 3-for-4 on the night. Paulino, Haase and second baseman Joe Sever all had multi-hit games for the Captains.

The Loons are back in action tomorrow night, as they take on the Lake County Captains in the second game of a three game series. Game time is at 6:05 p.m. Zachary Bird is scheduled to start for the Loons and Luis Dejesus is the probable starter for Lake County.

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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Midwest League Stories from April 8, 2013


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