Loons Wing Past Hawks Early, 5-2

August 10, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


The Great Lakes Loons (58-61) evened the four game series with South Bend Silver Hawks (67-51) with a 5-2 victory in the Sunday matinee at Four Winds Field. After taking an early lead, the Loons never looked back as their pitching staff of Scott Barlow, Mark Pope, Victor Araujo and Matt Campbell held the Hawks to six hits while they struck out nine. The Silver Hawks started a rally in the ninth, but it was cut short.

The Great Lakes Loons, Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second inning. Third baseman Paul Hoenecke led off with a single to shallow right as it just got past Marty Herum at first and Fidel Pena at second. Hoenecke then moved up to third on a single to center by first baseman Webster Rivas. Rivas was able to advance to second as center fielder Chuck Taylor fielded and fired the ball to third in hopes of getting Hoenecke. Hoenecke and Rivas stayed on the move as designated hitter Josmar Cordero doubled down the left field line into the bullpen area allowing them to both score for a 2-0 Loons lead. Right fielder Alex Santana followed by laying down a sacrifice bunt to push Cordero to third. However, Hawks starter Markus Solback (L, 2-3) regrouped and induced two fly outs to end the inning.

The Loons tacked on another run in the top of the third. Shortstop Brandon Trinkwon led off the frame with a double into the right field corner. Center fielder Malcolm Holland followed with a single to left to push Trinkwon to third. A 4-3 ground out by second baseman Jesmuel Valentin was enough to allow Trinkwon to scamper home from third for a 3-0 Loons edge.

The South Bend Silver Hawks, Class-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, scraped back a run in the bottom of the third thanks to several free passes. Catcher Grant Nelson started the inning with a single back up the middle into center. Shortstop Andrew Velazquez and Taylor drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. After a mound visit, Loons starter Scott Barlow (W, 6-5) took the count full on right fielder Daniel Palka before Palka drew ball four allowing Nelson to score. That was all the damage the Hawks could muster as Barlow then struck out third baseman Joe Munoz and got left fielder Justin Williams to ground out to second.

Great Lakes added insurance runs in both the seventh and eighth innings. Left fielder Jacob Scavuzzo led off the top of the seventh by lacing a double to the left field corner off Hawks reliever Alex Byo. After moving up to third on a 4-3 ground out by Trinkwon, Scavuzzo scored on Holland's sacrifice fly to center. Then in the top of the eighth, Cordero launched a 1-2 pitch off Byo over the left field fence and off the façade of the Hawks Nest Team Store to give the Loons a 5-1 lead.

The Hawks refused to go quietly into the late afternoon. Velazquez started the rally with a single over the bag at second into center. During Taylor's at-bat a wild pitch that hit the backstop on the fly by Loons reliever Matt Campbell moved Velazquez to second. Taylor then grounded a ball to center field that was just outside the reach of a diving Valentin at second. The single by Taylor was enough to allow the speedy Velazquez to reach home to bring the Hawks within 5-2. Though the Hawks were unable to continue the rally as Campbell struck out Palka and got Munoz to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the ballgame.

The Silver Hawks will enjoy a day off on Monday before returning to action with a four game road trip against the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The first game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday night at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, Michigan. Sean Furney (7-6, 4.09) is scheduled to start for South Bend and Jonathon Crawford (6-3, 3.18) will pitch for the Tincaps.

The Hawks return to Four Winds Field Friday night, August 15, to begin a six game homestand against the Lansing Lugnuts, Class-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Dayton Dragons, Class-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Friday's game against Lansing is scheduled to start at 7:35 p.m.

The first game of the homestand is rich with promotions. Faith Night kicks off the proceedings, with a special pre-game performance by Cody Collier. During the game, Gallo Barefoot Wine presents Barefoot Night at the Ballpark, featuring free wine tastings. It doesn't stop there! Myron Noodleman, the Clown Prince of Baseball, will be on hand to provide entertainment. A hip nerd, just hangin' with you at the ballpark, Myron's got moves and commentary for about any situation. A triple threat at any sport event, Myron can dance, sing and interact like nobody's business. Finally, stick around after the game for the Silver Hawks' famous fireworks spectacular, presented by 1st Source Bank, WNDU and Sunny 101.5!



Midwest League Stories from August 10, 2014


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