MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Three Loons Moving Up

June 25, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


Following a 43-win first half, the Great Lakes Loons and Los Angeles Dodgers announce the well-deserved promotions of three key components to the team's first half success: first baseman/outfielder Jerry Sands and right-handed pitchers Will Savage and Justin Miller.

Sands and Miller have been promoted to Double-A Chattanooga of the Southern League, while Savage has moved up to High-A Inland Empire. The three players were instrumental in leading the Loons to the most wins in a half in team history and guaranteeing the team a spot in the Midwest League playoffs.

Sands recently captured the Midwest League All-Star Game MVP award, homering in the first inning and walking twice as the Eastern Division's starting first baseman. Sands finished the first half of the season first in home runs (18), slugging percentage (.646), extra base hits (37) and total bases (157), second in RBIs (46) and on-base percentage (.432) and third in batting (.333).

Miller was a key member of the Loons bullpen, posting a 4-0 record and a 1.30 ERA in 16 appearances with three saves. The sinkerball specialist notched a 2.7 groundout-to-airout ratio in his first year working regularly in relief.

Savage became a key member of the Loons rotation in 2010. The right-hander went 6-2 with a 2.80 ERA, walking just 14 in 83 2/3 innings. He recorded a quality start in 11 of his 13 starts.

In a corresponding move, first baseman Chris Jacobs re-joins the Loons from extended spring training. Left-handed pitcher Jordan Roberts has been activated from the disabled list.

The Loons begin the second half of the season tonight at Dow Diamond at 7:05pm against the South Bend Silver Hawks. Before the game, the Loons will recognize the lucky 2,781th fan through the gates, the one-millionth fan in team history. He or she will receive a diamond valued at more than $5,000, courtesy of Dow Chemical Company, and a special pre-game ceremony will look back on the first three and a half years of Loons baseball and highlight the charitable and economic impact of the Loons, the Michigan Baseball Foundation, and Dow Diamond on the region. It is also Loons Hat Giveaway night, with all fans receiving a cap thanks to Dixie Distribution.

The Great Lakes Loons are a fourth-year Single-A partner 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 June 25, 2010


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