MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Martinez, Rathjen Sink Captains

Published on June 27, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


EASTLAKE, OH - Brandon Martinez allowed just one run over six solid innings and Jeremy Rathjen lined a two-run home run to the opposite field en route to a 3-1 victory for the Great Lakes Loons over the Lake County Captains early Thursday.

The victory gives the Loons 15 wins in their last 20 contests and a half-game lead over West Michigan in the Midwest League's Eastern Division with the Whitecaps scheduled to play later tonight at home against Dayton.

Rathjen broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning with a line drive, two-run home run to right field off Captains starter Robbie Aviles (1-3), just out of the reach of right fielder Anthony Santander. The home run was Rathjen's third of the season.

The Captains countered with a run in the bottom of the fourth on a double by Eric Haase scoring Santander. Haase took third on a throwing error by Corey Seager on the play. Richard Stock followed with a ground ball to third base with no outs. Haase took off to try to score, but he was thrown out at the plate by third baseman Brandon Dixon.

The Loons tacked on an additional run in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Dixon hit a smash to third base. Leonardo Castillo dove and knocked the ball down, but could only record an out at third base and a run scored.

Martinez (1-0) scattered seven hits over six frames for his first decision of the year. He struck out just one but had no unintentional walks. Scott Griggs followed Martinez and dominated the Captains, striking out all six batters he faced. Craig Stem, working in back-to-back outings, notched his seventh save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Loons prevented several runs from scoring with a solid defensive effort. James Baldwin made two inning-ending running catches in the second and third innings. The Loons turned inning-ending double plays in the fourth and fifth frames. And twice - in the second and fourth innings - Lake County runners were thrown out at the plate trying to score from third on infield grounders.

Joe Winker notched two hits. The game, scheduled to start at 11am, was delayed 25-minutes by a potential weather front.

The Loons and Captains conclude their three-game series Friday night at 7pm. The Loons are scheduled to start teenage left-hander Julio Urias (1-0, 3.74). He will be matched up against Captains righty Jake Sisco (4-5, 3.00). The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 100.9-FM and ESPN1009.com.

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Midwest League Stories from June 27, 2013


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