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MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Win on Wild Night at Dow Diamond

August 15, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - There were monkeys, dressed as cowboys, riding dogs, herding sheep at Dow Diamond Friday night. But, it was the play on the field that stood out with the Great Lakes Loons getting a key hit from Paul Hoenecke in the 7th inning, scoring Delvis Morales and giving the home squad a 5-4 against the West Michigan Whitecaps in front of 4,729 fans.

Hoenecke came up with men on first and third base with two outs and roped a line drive past Whitecaps' first baseman Jeff Holm that rolled near the Loons bullpen, but staying in play. Right fielder Wynton Bernard gave chase and got the ball back in, but not before Morales and Jesmuel Valentin crossed the plate. However, umpires Josh Root and Kirk Struble ruled that Hoenecke's ball was obstructed near the right field-line wall, making it a ground rule double and forcing Valentin to return to third.

It all became a moot point as the Loons were able to secure the victory without the extra run, but not before one final push from West Michigan.

The Whitecaps loaded the bases in the 9th through a botched catch from Morales at shortstop with two outs in the inning. Jacob Rhame, who extended his scoreless innings streak to 25 2/3 innings with tonight's performance (a franchise record), was able to strike out Francisco Contreras to end the ball game.

"I felt fortunate that we won the game after the play in the field at the end," Loons manager Bill Haselman said. "But, I feel good about winning because we did well by battling back.

"Bullpen has been great all year and we're expecting Rhame to do those things when we bring him into the game. His slider is getting better which is going to help his fastball. But, he came in and did what he had to do."

Rhame, who picked up his sixth save of the season, has now had 16 consecutive outings where he hasn't allowed a run. During that stretch, he's lowered his earned run average from 3.71 to 2.14 and struck out 39, while walking just five.

"I commanded the ball well today with a few cases of maybe the wrong pitch at the wrong time, but that happens," Rhame said. "The main thing is you don't want to be walking anybody; challenging guys with good pitches."

Scoring got underway early as Valentin tripled in the 1st for the Loons and scored the very next at-bat when Whitecaps starter Jon Maciel balked, bringing the Great Lakes second baseman in to score.

Maciel received a no-decision going six innings, allowing four runs (all earned) on six hits and striking out four. Reliever Ryan Longstreth (0-1), who hails from Beaverton, Mich., and had a strong contingent of fans at the game supporting him, picked up the loss when he gave up the ground rule double to Hoenecke.

The Whitecaps responded in the 2nd to tie the game 1-1 on a double from designated hitter Pat Leyland that scored Domingo Leyba. Josmar Cordero would respond right back in the bottom half of the inning with a solo home run, his 10th of the season to make it 2-1. Yet again, West Michigan tied the game in the 3rd when Bernard scored on a groundout from teammate Raph Rhymes.

After being held at bay in the bottom of the 3rd, the Loons would surrender two more runs in the 4th of off starter Brandon Martinez as Ross Kivett and Leyba each scored on a single from catcher Arvicent Perez, making it a 4-2 Whitecaps lead.

Martinez was done after four innings for Great Lakes, allowing four runs (all earned) on nine hits. Jordan Hershiser (1-1) would earn his first win of the season pitching two innings of scoreless relief.

Back and forth things went during the early innings, and Valentin kept things exciting when he led off the bottom of the 4th with his 7th home run of the season. Hoenecke would also score later in the inning on a groundout from Webster Rivas. A lull took over the middle 5th and 6th innings until Hoenecke doubled in Morales for what would prove to be the winning run.

The teams continue their series Saturday night (7:05 p.m.) when right-handed pitcher Scott Barlow will get the start for the Loons (26-27, 60-63). Barlow is 6-5 with a 4.35 ERA this season and has strung together three starts where he's given up three runs or less and pitched at least five innings. The California native has struck out 89 in 93 innings and opponents are hitting .264 against him in 2014.

West Michigan (32-21, 73-50) will start Kevin Ziomek who has the best ERA in the Midwest League at just 2.31. The left-hander is 9-6 this season and has struck 127 batters, good for third best in the MWL.

Saturday will be Country Western Night with line dancing, a mechanical bull and a live, post-game performance from Dani Vitany and Ten Hands Tall. There will also be a post-game Fireworks Loontacular powered by Dow Corning, with fans being able to compete in the MBS Ball Launch for a chance to win a $400 travel certificate courtesy of MBS International Airport.

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

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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.

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