Cody Thomas Steals the Show

MIDLAND, Mich. - With a fresh start on the books for both the Great Lakes Loons and South Bend Cubs on Friday night, it was Cody Thomas and the Loons who took advantage winning both games to jump out a 2-0 start to the second half of the Midwest League regular season. 
After rain suspended Thursday's game in the 7th inning with the score tied 1-1, the Loons pushed three runs across in the bottom of the 8th to secure the win. By the same score of 4-3, a walk-off home run was the path to victory in the nightcap.
Thomas slugged his 11th home run of the season on Thursday before the rain came, then launched his 12th after the game resumed to tie it late. He added the walk-off long ball, his 13th this year, for good measure to cement his place on the MWL leader board. The former Oklahoma quarterback is now alone in second place behind Emmanuel Tapia of the Lake County Captains (15) in the home run race.
It was two MWL All-Stars who kept the rally going against Chad Hockin (L, 1-3) in the suspended game as Brendon Davis singled and Keibert Ruiz doubled in back-to-back at-bats to push the Loons in front for good. Miguel Urena (W, 3-0) preserved the victory in relief.
In the regularly-scheduled contest the Loons jumped out to an early 3-0 lead as consecutive doubles by Eric Meza and Gersel Pitre and a walk to Saige Jenco to begin the 3rd inning put them in business. On an infield ground ball from Gavin Lux, a throwing error nearly cleared the bases. Yet another error in the field on a grounder from Darien Tubbs plated the final run of the frame.
But the Cubs (39-32, 0-2) did not quit responding with a run in the 4th and two more in the 5th off starter A.J. Alexy. The righty lasted 4.2 innings as he issued four walks and had four strikeouts. The relief of Sven Schüller and Andre Scrubb (W, 2-0) slowed the South Bend offense to a crawl over the final 6.1 innings not allowing a run on just two hits.
The Loons will look to make it three wins in a row on Saturday night against the Cubs as they send Jordan Sheffield (1-4, 2.84 ERA) to the hill. Following the game a Fireworks Loontacular pres. Chemical Bank will light up the Midland sky.
The Great Lakes Loons are the 2016 Midwest League Champions and have been a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2007. Dow Diamond, home of the Loons, also houses ESPN 100.9-FM and the Michigan Baseball Foundation. For tickets and more information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.