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MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Win Streak Ends at Seven

July 2, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - The Great Lakes Loons (27-43, 10-3) seven-game winning streak ended Tuesday at Dow Diamond, as they were beaten by some late-inning heroics from the West Michigan Whitecaps (33-37, 6-7), losing 4-3.

"It was a good ballgame," Loons manager Razor Shines said. "I know that if we had caught the baseball tonight, we win the ballgame. We made some mistakes defensively that cost us the game. For the last few weeks, we've been catching and throwing the baseball pretty good, and we've been putting it in play pretty good too. Tonight, we didn't catch it as well and that's the result."

The Loons got things started early against Whitecaps starter Jake Thompson in the bottom of the first inning when Robbie Garvey and Leo Rodriguez each singled to lead off the game. Great Lakes designated hitter Aaron Miller came up with two outs and was able to beat out a ground ball to shortstop. However, David Gonzalez's throw on the play got past Whitecaps' first baseman Jeff Holm and went in to the stands, allowing Garvey and Rodriguez to score, giving the Loons a 2-0 lead.

Thompson, the No. 4 prospect in the Detroit Tigers organization, went five innings, surrendering two runs on four hits, while walking one and striking out three.

West Michigan waited until the fifth inning to get on the board, but they did it in a big way against Loons starter Brandon Martinez. Harold Castro and Bennett Pickar scored on a throwing error by Loons catcher Austin Cowen. Holm came up with one out and hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Zach Kirksey, giving the Whitecaps their first lead of the game, 3-2.

Martinez had a solid outing as he went five innings, allowing three runs, two of which were earned, on three hits. He struck out five and walked two.

"I was coming off a couple good starts, so I figured I would stick with what I had been doing," Martinez said. "That's attacking hitters, trying to get the off-speed for strikes and hopefully get outs."

Miller brought the Loons even in the bottom of the sixth inning when he hit a 2-2 pitch 385 feet to right field for his fourth home run of the season.

"I squared one up," Miller said. "The guy has a good arm and was throwing quality pitches; he just missed on a few pitches. He threw one that I was able to handle. I was out on my front foot a little bit, but I kept my hands back and drove through it.

Great Lakes threatened in the bottom of the eighth inning as Rodriguez and Corey Seager both singled and advanced on a passed ball, putting runners on second and third with two out. Miller was not able to provide the heroics as he flew out to center field to end the inning.

In the top of the ninth, Whitecaps catcher Harold Castro hit a 1-1 pitch from Loons reliever Arismendy Ozoria 335 feet that just cleared the right field fence, giving the Whitecaps a 4-3 lead.

James Baldwin single-handedly rallied for Great Lakes in the bottom of the ninth as he drew a walk against Whitecaps reliever Corey Knebel, stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. However, pinch-hitter Kevin Taylor and nine-hitter Malcolm Holland both struck out to end the game.

The Loons play the second and final game of their two-game home set against the Whitecaps on Wednesday, with the first pitch at 7:05 p.m. There will be the All-American All-You-Can-Eat Picnic in the Northern Lights Pavilion at Dow Diamond, along with a post-game Fireworks Loontacular, presented by Dow Corning.

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 July 2, 2013


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