MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Wolfe Plays Hero in Loons Win

Published on May 13, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - In front of the largest crowd Dow Diamond has hosted this season, the Great Lakes Loons snapped a five-game losing streak with a walk-off victory over their rivals from southern Ohio.

First baseman Brain Wolfe's two-out walk-off base hit in the bottom of the 11th inning clinched Great Lakes' 2-1 victory over the Dayton Dragons in front of 5,212 fans on Wednesday. Back-to-back two-out base hits by Alex Santana and Josmar Cordero gave the Loons runners on the corners and brought the left-handed hitting Wolfe to the plate.

Wolfe's fly ball was almost hauled in by Dayton centerfielder Nick Benedetto, but the ball was dislodged from his glove when the mitt hit the ground, and the ball popped out sending the Loons running out of the dugout to congratulate Wolfe on his game-winning hit.

"I was just watching (the ball) thinking 'get down, get down'," Wolfe said. "Most people run away from the pile, but I like it."

The victory improves the Loons to 13-17 this season and cuts the Dragons advantage in the four-game series to 2-1. The Loons are now 2-4 against Dayton this season.

"This was perfect for us," said Loons manager Luis Matos. "Our bullpen did a really nice job of keeping us in (the game). It was good to see Wolfe get the big hit like that."

With two men on base and one out in the bottom of the 9th inning, Great Lakes had a chance to win the game on a walk-off hit. But Wolfe and left fielder Jacob Scavuzzo both flied out sending the game to extra innings.

Right-handed relief pitcher Joe Broussard sent down all three batters he faced during the top of the 10th inning and earned the win. Dragons' relief pitcher Jake Ehret took the loss for Dayton.

Great Lakes starting pitcher Kevin Guzman was efficient, tossing six innings while surrendering just four hits and one earned run. He walked three batters, struck out four and did not receive a decision.

Guzman was relieved on the mound in the 7th inning by right-handed pitcher Kyle Hooper, who retired all six batters he faced in order and preserved the tie game. Hooper was relieved by Jose Molina, who sent down all three batters he faced in the top of the 9th inning.

The Dragons got on the scoreboard early when Dayton second baseman Ty Washington scored on a sacrifice fly out by Gavin Lavalley in the top of the 1st inning. Washington reached base on a walk, stole second base and was advanced to third base on a groundout.

The Loons answered in the bottom of the 2nd inning when Scavuzzo crushed a one-out solo home run to centerfield to tie the game at a run a piece. It was the second home run of the 2015 season for Scavuzzo, who entered Wednesday's game with a batting average of .256. He finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with one run batted in.

A leadoff double by Dayton's designated hitter Jimmy Pickens threatened to break the tie in the top of the 5th inning. But after Pickens advanced to third base on a sacrifice groundout, Guzman struck out Dayton's Benedetto and induced a fly out to centerfield to end the inning and avoid any further damage.

It's School Kids Day presented by MidMichigan Health on Thursday at Dow Diamond with first pitch at 10:35 a.m. Brock Stewart will be the starting pitcher for the Loons. The 23-year-old right-hander is 1-2 this season with an ERA of 3.00. The Dragons will send Wyatt Strahan to the mound. Strahan is 3-1 this season with 2.31 ERA. Listen to the game on ESPN 100.9-FM with Chris Vosters and Matt Kearney on the call.

The Great Lakes Loons are a ninth-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For tickets and more information, call 989-837-BALL or visit loons.com.

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from May 13, 2015


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.

OurSports Central