MWL Great Lakes Loons

Ward Homers Again in 2-1 Win

August 17, 2021 - Midwest League (MWL)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - The Great Lakes Loons (48-43) defeated the Lansing Lugnuts (43-48), 2-1 at Dow Diamond Tuesday night, in the second-shortest game of the season to the tune of two hours and 29 minutes. Ryan Ward homered on the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning, recording his 21st blast of the season to inch closer to teammate Andy Pages' 23, which leads the High-A Central. Cole Percival (W, 4-3) allowed the only run of the night in his four innings of relief, striking out four batters.

Ward going long on Tuesday made it four consecutive games with a home run. Ward, the reigning High-A Central's offensive player of the week, has homered five times in his last four games, and finished the Wisconsin series on Sunday with his fifth multi-HR game of the season.

Brandon Lewis ended a bit of a drought Tuesday night, swatting his first home run since July 25. Following a promotion from Low-A Rancho Cucamonga on June 29, Lewis slugged 12 in 21 games with Great Lakes to lead all High-A Central batters.

Tuesday's series opener featured a bit of a pitching matchup, as the Loons limited the Lugnuts to finish 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, and Lansing held Great Lakes 0-for-2 in the same department.

Great Lakes' southpaw starter Alec Gamboa recorded three strikeouts in two scoreless innings, only allowing a hit against Lansing before his exit. Percival relieved Gamboa for the next four innings with no walks and a hit. Aldry Acosta and Melvin Jimenez combined for the final three innings for the Loons staff, recording four strikeouts in the Tuesday win.

Lansing's Reid Birlingmair (L, 3-7) was responsible for both of the Loons long balls in five innings, striking out five batters on three hits. Following the pair of homers Birlingmair allowed through his first two innings, he surrendered one hit in his next three scoreless innings against the Loons.

Brandon Withers and Brock Whittlesey relieved Birlingmair for the final three innings, giving up only one hit and no walks, striking out two batters. Great Lakes and Lansing combined for eight 1-2-3 half-innings for a ballgame of two hours and 29 minutes.

The Tuesday win breaks a tied season series between the two Michigan clubs, who entered 9-9 against each other in two series this season. Lansing holds a narrow advantage in the all-time matchup between the two teams, now leading Great Lakes 124 games to 121.

Lansing and Great Lakes continue a six-game series at Dow Diamond on Wednesday night, and will feature a pair of right-handers in the starting pitching matchup. Jesus Vargas, who leads all Loons pitchers with 73 2/3 innings, makes his ninth start of the season against Lansing, entering with 54 strikeouts and only 10 walks this season.

Opposing Vargas will be Lansing's Colin Peluse in his 13th start of the year, who has 78 strikeouts and only 19 walks on the year with a 3.87 ERA.

Coverage begins for Wednesday's game at 6:35 P.M. EDT with the Loons On-Deck Circle, Built by Three Rivers, and gates opening at 6:00 P.M. First pitch for Wednesday's game is scheduled for 7:05 P.M.

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.

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Midwest League Stories from August 17, 2021


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