Early Offense Lets Loons Withstand Late Lugnuts Surge

MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons had their offense working early Thursday night at Dow Diamond, as they exploded for eight runs in the first five innings against the Lansing Lugnuts.

Good thing.

Lansing did not go quiet into that good night, scoring four runs in the seventh inning and one in the ninth, but the Loons held on, winning the third game of the six-game series, 8-5.

Great Lakes (21-15) got things started in the second inning with a three-run frame. Leonel Valera walked with one out, then Imanol Vargas singled to put two men on with one away. Aldrich De Jongh stepped up and cracked an RBI single to put the Loons ahead, 1-0. Ismael Alcantara then drilled a two-run double, snapping an 0-for-23 streak, and the Loons led, 3-0.

The Loons, High-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, doubled their advantage in the next frame. After Jorbit Vivas and Jose Ramos smacked back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, Kekai Rios left the yard with his second longball of the year, and Great Lakes led 6-0 after three innings.

The fifth inning saw two more runs for the home side. The Loons loaded the bases on singles by Valera and Vargas and a walk to De Jongh. After two outs, Eddys Leonard connected for his second hit of the game, a two-run single to give the Loons a massive 8-0 advantage. All that damage came off of Osvaldo Berrios (L, 1-4), who tossed 5 2-3 frames, allowed eight earned runs on 13 hits and a walk and struck out four.

Meanwhile, the Loons pitching staff was lights-out. Emmet Sheehan made his first start since the first week of the season, and was perfect through two innings. Five of the six outs he recorded were strikeouts. After that, Kyle Hurt (W, 2-0) was effective as well, going for three innings and allowing three hits and a walk while punching out six Lugnuts.

Lansing (15-21), though, would come through later on. Loons righty Braydon Fisher exited the game after tossing a scoreless sixth inning, and the Lugnuts got their offense going in the seventh. They scored four runs in the frame, including a two-run home run from Jared McDonald, and the Loons’ lead was suddenly cut in half, 8-4.

Adam Scoggins spun a perfect eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts. Ryan Sublette came out for the ninth and allowed a run on a pair of walks and a base hit, but struck out the final three batters of the contest to secure the victory for the Loons.

A great all-around day for the Loons offense, as they notched 14 hits in the game, and every starter had at least one base knock. Vivas led the way with a 3-for-5 day including a double, and Leonard went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Loons pitching was excellent again as well, striking out 18 Lugnuts batters over the course of the game for the second night in a row. Lansing’s offense had previously struck out less than any other team in the Midwest League.

The Loons now hold a 2-1 lead in the series, a six-game set that continues Friday night at Dow Diamond. Great Lakes will start right-hander Kendall Williams (0-1, 6.30 ERA), opposing Lansing lefty Mac Lardner (0-0, 10.13 ERA). It’s a Feast Friday at Dow Diamond, presented by Isabella Bank – enjoy discounts on all sorts of concession stand fare all night long. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m., get your tickets now on Loons.com. Pregame coverage begins on ESPN 100.9-FM with the Loons On-Deck Circle, driven by Garber Chevrolet Midland, at 5:50 p.m.

The Great Lakes Loons have been a 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.