MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

The 'Pen Is Mightier

Published on July 5, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


LANSING, MI - The 2014 Great Lakes Loons bullpen has been one of the team's strengths, so the fact that the team's relievers were key contributors in Saturday night's 5-3 win over the Lansing Lugnuts was no surprise.

The fact that Webster Rivas' base running also played a key role, however, was a bit of a shock.

The Loons jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the third inning against starter Brent Powers. Dillon Moyer drove in the Loons' first run with a bunt single. After Moyer stole second, Joey Curletta followed with a two-run single scoring Jesmuel Valentin and Moyer to put the Loons ahead 3-0.

The Lugnuts responded with three runs to tie the score in the fifth. Loons starter Greg Harris cruised through the first four frames. But the Lugnuts began the fifth with back-to-back deep homers by David Harris and Anthony Alford. Later in the inning, Mitch Nay singled home D.J. Davis to tie the score at three.

But Michael Johnson relieved Harris and worked out of the fifth without any further runs scoring. Johnson combined with Jacob Rhame and Victor Araujo for 4 2/3 hitless, scoreless relief innings. The trio retired the final 12 Lugnuts batters faced. Rhame (4-3) was credited with the win, notching five consecutive outs with three strikeouts. Araujo earned his fourth save with a perfect, two-strikeout ninth.

The outing lowered the Loons' relief ERA to 2.75.

The game remained 3-3 until the top of the eighth when the Loons struck for a pair of scores versus righty reliever Roberto Espinosa (1-1). With runners at first and third, Rivas grounded up the middle. Dawel Lugo ranged to his left to make a play at second, but Rivas reached safely at first and Moyer scored to give the Loons the lead, 4-3. Rivas, never confused for a track sprinter, promptly stole second and took third on a throwing error. Later in the frame, he adeptly read a ball in the dirt that squirted a few feet past catcher Daniel Klein to score a key insurance run.

The Loons and Lugnuts conclude their three-game series Sunday afternoon at 2:05pm. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 100.9-FM. Right-handed pitcher Jonathan Martinez (7-5, 3.20 ERA) is slated to start for the Loons against Lansing righty Chase De Jong (0-5, 5.34).

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