MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Strategic 8th Propels Loons to Win

Published on July 8, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - With only one run on five hits scattered throughout the first seven frames, the Loons were able to once again battle back, scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth on four hits and two Lansing errors to defeat the Lugnuts Thursday night by a score of 4-2.

Angelo Songco led off the inning with a single to centerfield and Blake Smith followed up with a single that deflected off of a leaping Balbino Fuenmayor at first. Then it was strategy time for Loons manager Juan Bustabad. With southpaw Aaron Loup on the hill for Lansing and lefty Jaime Ortiz due up, Bustabad brought in switch-hitter Christian Lara to pinch hit.

The Lugnuts tried to trump the Loons substitution by calling on their right-handed closer, Steve Turnbull, who has proven to be clutch this season with 19 saves in 20 opportunities. But as Turnbull was getting acclimated to the mound, Lara knew that he had the edge.

"It's better for me to bump from the left side than right side," Lara explained. "Because I know I have to put the ball down to third base. It's a more easy bunt to get the guys to scoring position."

Batting left-handed, Lara made it look easy as he tapped a bunt down the third-base line for a single. Fielding the bunt was catcher A.J. Jimenez, whose only play was to third base, but Songco advanced safely to load the bases with nobody out.

The Loons tied the game when Brian Cavazos-Galvez hit the inning's fourth consecutive single to score Songco, leaving the bases loaded for Brian Ruggiano, who popped a sacrifice-fly to score the go-ahead run. On the sac-fly, shortstop Ryan Goins committed a throwing error that advanced Cavazos-Galvez to second, who scored on the next play on a throwing error by Jimenez that sailed into right field. Loons reliever Stephen Ames struck out the side in the ninth for the save, his third. Loup was charged the blown save and his second loss for his three runs allowed over one inning.

Loons starter Brett Wallach surrendered the team's only runs, a two-run shot by Lansing second baseman Ryan Schimpf. The Loons were able to cut the lead to one in the bottom of the seventh, when Nick Buss' double scored Bryant Hernandez, who reached base on a hit batsmen. Wallach finished with two earned runs on six hits across five innings and was relieved by Steve Smith (2-2, 1.70), who picked up the win, limiting Lansing to one hit over three scoreless innings.

The Loons play the final game of their three-game series against Lansing on Friday and will send RHP Allen Webster (8-5, 2.67) to the mound, while LHP Egan Smith (1-0, 3.27) gets the nod for Lansing. Following the game will be a Fireworks Loontacular, powered by Dow Corning. Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics

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



Midwest League Stories from July 8, 2010


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