MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Pedroza, Loons Slam Peoria

Published on July 8, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


PEORIA, IL - The Great Lakes Loons scored eight runs in the fifth inning Wednesday on two home runs - one a grand slam - and ended a season-long four-game losing streak with a 12-3 win over the Peoria Chiefs.

The convincing win helped get the Loons out of an offensive funk that saw the team score just 26 runs in their first 12 games of the second half.

Leading 3-2 into the fifth inning, Jaime Pedroza led off against Jeff Beliveau with a walk and Tony Delmonico followed with a single up the middle after a lengthy at-bat. Beliveau was lifted for Ryan Buchter, who surrendered an opposite-field three-run home run to Kyle Russell, his league-leading 20th homer of the year. Buchter appeared to have averted further damage with two outs on a ground ball to third by Travis Vetters. But Jovan Rosa erred on the play, extending the inning. Buchter proceeded to walk three consecutive batters; the third to Dee Gordon forced home the Loons' fourth run of the inning, and Peoria was forced to make another pitching change. With Chris Siegfried on in relief and the bases loaded and a 3-2 count, Pedroza blasted a grand slam well beyond the wall in left field for his 11th homer and the Loons' first grand slam of the season.

Pedroza's slam was the Loons' first since Alfredo Silverio's four-run home run August 28, 2008 in West Michigan.

Silverio had three hits in the game. Pedroza and Russell recorded four RBIs each.

Justin Miller (4-5) started for Great Lakes and recorded his sixth quality start of the season. He limited the Chiefs to two runs in seven innings, striking out a batter per frame.

The Loons (44-38 overall, 5-8 in the second half) scored their highest run total in the second half and the most runs in an inning (eight in the fifth) this season.

The Loons continue their 10-game road trip Thursday night with the second of three in Peoria. Right-hander Ethan Martin (4-3, 4.50 ERA) will start for the Loons. Righty Nathan Eovaldi (1-4, 3.90) is also scheduled to pitch for the Loons. The Chiefs will counter with right-handed starter Aaron Shafer (5-5, 5.19). Game time Thursday night is 8pm.

The Great Lakes Loons are the third-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.

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Midwest League Stories from July 8, 2009


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