Thanks for the Wild Pitches
June 22, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL) - Great Lakes Loons News Release
MIDLAND, Mich. - We're sensing a theme between the Great Lakes Loons and Fort Wayne TinCaps. After two hotly-contested contests following the all-star game, both teams left it late once again with the Loons as beneficiaries of a passed ball in the 11th inning to snatch a 2-1 victory. That's now the 45th win of the season, pushing the Loons record to 45-25 and 20 games over .500.
After allowing 16 earned runs in his first three starts this season, Robinson Ortiz has looked like a completely new pitcher over his most recent three starts, including Saturday night. He threw five scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Over the last 15 IP, the 19-year-old lefty has allowed just one run and recorded 18 K. Ortiz has lowered his ERA from 16.00 down to 6.38 in the last three weeks.
As for where the runs came from, the Loons have two wild pitches to thank. It seemed like we wouldn't even need extra innings when Miguel Vargas trotted home to score the game's first run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Zach Willeman had been cruising in his piggy-back start after reliving Ortiz. Fort Wayne would, however, load the bases and Juan Fernandez's sacrifice fly pushed the game deeper into the night.
Brett de Deus (W, 4-1) literally couldn't have pitched any better in extras for Great Lakes striking out the side in the 10th, getting Tucupita Marcano to pop up his bunt attempt to start the 11th, and then striking out the final two TinCap batters.
Henry Henry (not a typo) intentionally walked Jacob Amaya and Dillon Paulson grounded into a fielder's choice to put the winning run, represented by Chris Roller, 90 feet away. Henry proceeded to bounce a pitch next to home plate and Roller scored to send Loons fans home happy.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Sunday: Meet the Team Day feat. Team Photo Giveaway
July 2: Two-Fer Tuesday
July 3: Independence Day Celebration feat. Theme Jersey Auction
July 6: Field of the Dreams Night feat. Dwier Brown appearance
July 17: Grand Slam Game
July 18: Christmas in July
The Great Lakes Loons have been the Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team's home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and ESPN 100.9-FM. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.
• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...
Midwest League Stories from June 22, 2019
- Snappers fall as McIntyre scuffles in second-half debut - Beloit Snappers
- Pair of Narrow Victories Drive Doubleheader Sweep - Kane County Cougars
- Chiefs Win on Walkoff Wild Pitch - Peoria Chiefs
- Thanks for the Wild Pitches - Great Lakes Loons
- Casanova, Winder Lead Kernels in Narrow Tilt - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Four Run First Helps Bandits to Victory - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Keating Tosses Six Scoreless in 11-Inning Loss - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Losing Streak Swells to Six Games - Clinton LumberKings
- Captains Pull Rank on Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Dragons Return Favor, 4-1 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Royalty Commands Whitecaps - Lake County Captains
- Wisconsin Shuts Out Clinton to Win Third Straight - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dragons Limit Lansing to 4 Hits in 4-1 Win - Dayton Dragons
- LumberKings Come Home for Seven-Game Stand - Clinton LumberKings
- Hot Rods Game Notes - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- TinCaps Game Notes: June 22 at Great Lakes (Game 71) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Dragons Notes for Saturday - Dayton Dragons
- No-No Caps Doubleheader Sweep - Lake County Captains
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.
