MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Mattingly Drives Loons to Opening Night Win

Published on April 4, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


One could say that "Busty-Ball" was on full display on opening night at Dow Diamond. Thanks to some aggressive base running and unselfish baseball, the Great Lakes Loons took their first game of 2008 beating the Dayton Dragons in front of 4,631 fans by a score of 5-2.

With the game tied at one in the top of the sixth inning, Dayton took the lead thanks to first baseman Michael McKennon's RBI triple to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead. The Loons quickly responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame. Manager Juan Bustabad helped push across the game's tying run when the Loons skipper successfully called for a double steal. It was then when Mattingly's RBI single to center field gave the Loons a 3-2 edge, a lead they would not relinquish.

The Loons tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the eighth thanks to an RBI double by Mattingly and a Brian Mathews' run-scoring single to make it 5-2.

Justin Miller made his Loons debut going five innings allowing four hits and a run while striking out four. Daigoro Rondon pitched an inning of relief (1-0) and picked up the victory. Mathew Sartor and Bobby Blevins combined for two scoreless innings of hitless baseball, and former Midwest League All-Star Miguel Ramirez came on and pitched the ninth, picking up his first save of the season.

Offensively, Mathews led the Loons going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Mattingly went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, including the go-ahead RBI-single in the sixth.

Steven Carroll (0-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits in 5.1 innings to pick up the loss.

In opening day ceremonies, Loons General Manager Paul Barbeau recognized the recipients of the 2008 Michigan Baseball Foundation grants and welcomed Loons fans back to another exciting season of Loons baseball.

The Loons-Dragons series continues from Dow Diamond Friday night. Game time is 7:05pm. Former Dodgers first-round draft pick Bryan Morris is scheduled to start for the Loons. The first 5,000 fans will receive a Loons Magnet Schedule presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. Tickets are available by calling 989-837-BALL or by logging on to Loons.com.

The Great Lakes Loons are the second-year Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and members of the Midwest League. For more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com or call 989-837-BALL.

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from April 4, 2008


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.

OurSports Central