Sports stats

MWL Great Lakes Loons

Ward, Taylor Go Back-To-Back in 5-2 Win

August 13, 2021 - Midwest League (MWL)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


APPLETON, WI - The longest losing streak of the season ended Thursday night, as the Great Lakes Loons (46-41) downed the Wisconsin Timer Rattlers (41-45). Great Lakes entered Thursday's game on a five-game skid after falling in the final three to Fort Wayne at home last week, and began a series in Wisconsin Tuesday night with a pair of losses in a road doubleheader.

Ryan Ward hit his 17th homer of the season in the top of the fifth as a two-run blast to tie Wednesday's game, bringing in Leonel Valera following a leadoff walk. Carson Taylor went deep on the next pitch for his sixth of the season, giving the Loons their first lead of the night.

Jesus Vargas motored Great Lakes through 4 2/3 innings in the Thursday win, surrendering two solo homers to Wisconsin, on top of no walks and three strikeouts. Franklin De La Paz (W, 2-2) struck out five batters in 2 1/3 innings, holding the T-Rats scoreless on one hit and no walks. Jeff Belge continued his strong return from the development list, making his second appearance Thursday night since July 18 with a save in two perfect innings and three strikeouts.

Wisconsin's Victor Castaneda (L, 3-6) allowed all five runs on five hits in five innings, walking two batters and striking out seven. Righty reliever Cristian Sierra held GL scoreless in his two innings, walking three batters and striking out two. Harold Chirino finished the Timber Rattlers effort with two more scoreless innings, striking out two batters and allowing one hit.

The Rattlers hopped out to an early 2-0 lead, thanks to a pair of solo blasts from Joey Wiemer and Je'Von Ward off Vargas in the second and third innings. It was the second HR for Wiemer with High-A Wisconsin, as he also homered in his first night in a Rattlers uniform Tuesday night since his promotion from Low-A Carolina.

Great Lakes overcame the deficit with two runs in the top of the fourth, beginning with a one-out walk from Andy Pages. Zac Ching knocked his second triple of the season off the batter's eye in straightaway center, scoring Pages from first and putting the Loons on the scoreboard. Eddys Leonard, in the following at-bat, scored Ching with his second hit of the night.

Riding a 2-2 tie into the fifth, the Loons hopped out in front and never looked back with a three-run frame against Castaneda. Leonel Valera reached base for the first time with a leadoff walk, and would be driven in on the Ward HR to put Great Lakes in front 4-2. Carson Taylor cemented the lead on the next pitch with a solo blast in what would be the final runs scored on Thursday in the top of the fifth.

Wisconsin still leads the series two games to one with three games remaining in the first interleague matchup for Great Lakes this season. The Loons and Timber Rattlers will face each other at Dow Diamond to close the regular season.

Wisconsin and Great Lakes continue their series Friday night at Fox Cities Stadium, with the Loons eyeing an opportunity to even the series with a win and build a win streak, trailing Dayton by a game for first in the East Division. On the mound for Great Lakes will be southpaw Jose Hernandez in his second start in a Loons uniform, since joining from Low-A Rancho Cucamonga last week. Opposing Hernandez will be Wisconsin's fellow lefty Nick Bennett in his seventh appearance, who brings a 4.56 earned-run average with him in 25 2/3 innings with the Rattlers. Coverage begins with the Loons On-Deck Circle, Built by Three Rivers, at 7:35 P.M. EDT.

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.

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 13, 2021


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.

Other Recent Great Lakes Loons Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central