Four-Run First Flips Game in Loons’ Favor on Parks and Rec Night

MIDLAND, Mich. – On Wednesday at Dow Diamond, the Great Lakes Loons fell behind the Fort Wayne TinCaps early, but took the lead for good in the bottom of the frame.

On Thursday night, they did the same thing.

This time, it was the first inning in which the Loons fell behind, but they rallied for four runs in the home half of the first and cruised to a 5-2 victory.

Fort Wayne (18-30) took the lead in the top of the first inning thanks to two doubles in the frame. Ripken Reyes led off the frame with a bloop two-bagger, then Matthew Acosta doubled him home on a grounder down the first base line. That put the TinCaps ahead, 1-0.

The Loons (27-21) struck back in the next half inning. Jonny Deluca led off with a walk, followed by an Eddys Leonard single and a Jorbit Vivas hit by pitch to load the bases. Diego Cartaya, the Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect, hit a soft liner into center for an RBI single, the first run he drives in at the High-A level. After that, Jose Ramos smacked a two-run single to give the Loons the lead. Alex De Jesus followed that up with an RBI groundout to put the Loons ahead, 4-1.

The TinCaps, High-A partner of the San Diego Padres, pushed another run across in the second inning. After two outs, Jack Stromach walked, then Anthony Vilar doubled to score Stromach from first and bring the visitors within two runs, 4-2.

In his High-A debut, Loons right-handed starting pitcher Ben Casparius tossed three innings and allowed two earned runs on four hits. He walked three batters and struck out four, and did enough to leave the game with the Loons in the lead.

Great Lakes, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ affiliate, scored another run in the fourth inning. Imanol Vargas smacked a single, then was driven home by Juan Zabala to give the Loons a 5-2 advantage. That was the second hit that Zabala registered, finishing his day 2-for-3.

After an arduous first inning, Fort Wayne southpaw Robert Gasser (L, 1-7) settled into the game, but allowed all five runs earned on eight hits. He walked just one and struck out only four, despite projecting as a high-strikeout pitcher: Gasser had struck out 53 in his 39 innings prior to Thursday night.

For a second straight night, the Loons bullpen did not allow a run, this time in six innings of relief. The brunt of that was tossed by right-hander Robbie Peto (W, 3-0), who walked four and ceded one hit in four innings of work, but did not allow a run. Cole Duensing pitched the eighth and gave up a couple hits in the frame, but got out of trouble. Duensing started the ninth inning, but recorded just one out while walking two and allowing a hit to load the bases. Cole Percival (SV, 1) came in and got a ground ball double play to end the game, finished off by a beautiful Percival pick as he covered first base.

Despite both teams registering eight hits, the Loons secure a 5-2 win. Fort Wayne stranded 13 runners on base, while the Loons left just three.

Great Lakes now takes a lead in the series, two games to one. The six-game set continues Friday night at Dow Diamond. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning on ESPN 100.9-FM at 6:50 p.m. with the Loons On-Deck Circle, driven by Garber Chevrolet Midland. Nick Nastrini (0-1, 5.00 ERA) gets the start for the Loons, opposing fellow righty Ryan Bergert (0-5, 5.59 ERA) for Fort Wayne. Dow Diamond plays host to Pride Night on Friday, in collaboration with Great Lakes Bay Pride. It’s also a Feast Friday, presented by Isabella Bank: enjoy discounts on hot dogs, potato chips, ice cream sandwiches and sodas. Tickets are still available – get yours now on Loons.com.

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.