MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Top-Notch Pitching Secures Win

Published on May 5, 2016 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - After taking two of three against the Quad Cities River Bandits to start a six-game homestand at Dow Diamond, the Great Lakes Loons got a 3-0 shutout win in the series opener against the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Thursday night.

Alex Hermeling, in his first professional start, tossed four innings of hitless baseball combined with five strikeouts, allowing just one baserunner on a walk in the 4th inning. The last time Hermeling started a game was as a Battle Creek Bomber in the summer of 2015 when he was signed by the Dodgers.

"It was like falling back into what I had been doing my entire career, this is my first year coming out of the bullpen which has been a fun, new opportunity, but it was just like riding a bike," Hermeling said. "I was able to throw fastballs early in the count and when I needed to I had my breaking stuff tonight."

Hermeling was not the only pitcher who helped in the Loons three-hit performance on Thursday. The combination of Philip Pfeifer, Wes Helsabeck and Marcus Crescentini tossed five innings of relief allowing three hits and striking out seven batters.

The Loons got the scoring going in the 3rd inning behind an RBI-double from second baseman Omar Estevez plating Nick Dean. Dean would finish the night 1-for-1 with a walk, hit by pitch and two runs scored.

Great Lakes added insurance in a weird 5th inning that saw seven Loons batters step to the plate, eventually scoring two runs while never recording a hit. With the bases loaded, Edwin Rios walked to score Garrett Kennedy. Dean then scored from third base on a wild pitch by Cedar Rapids reliever Michael Theofanopoulos.

It is the Loons' third shutout win of the season and the fourth consecutive win over the Kernels dating back to last season.

The winning pitcher was Pfeifer (1-0), the loss went to Kernels' starter Sam Gibbons (1-3). Marcus Crescentini recorded his third save of the season.

The Loons now look to win the series a day early in game two on Friday. Left-hander Michael Boyle (1-2, 3.65) goes for the Loons against left-hander Sam Clay (2-0, 0.79). First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

Coverage on ESPN 100.9-FM begins with the On-Deck Circle powered by Dow Corning at 6:35 p.m. At the ballpark, it is Salute to the Stage night. Come out for a theatrical night at the ballpark to enjoy some of your favorite show tunes.

The Great Lakes Loons have been a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007 and are in their 10th season in 2016. For tickets and more information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 5, 2016


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