Cubs Outlast Loons After Hour Rain Delay

MIDLAND, Mich. – In a game that was extended by a one-hour four-minute rain delay, the Great Lakes Loons (5-6) surrendered the deciding run on their eight of nine total walks as the South Bend Cubs (7-4) were victorious 4-3 on a 40-degree and rainy night at Dow Diamond.

Ronan Kopp started his third game for Great Lakes and struck out four of the first eight batters he faced. The lone run the left-hander permitted was helped across by a throwing error from Kopp. Josue Homa reached on a walk and in attempted pickoff at first, the six-foot-seven Kopp airmailed it. Huma scored on an RBI single from Kevin Alcantara. The top of the third would end with two strikeouts, with Kopp finishing with six.

The top of the fourth was a potential big inning for South Bend squashed by Great Lakes. With two on and two outs, Scott McKeon stepped up to face Robbie Peto looking to complete his first inning in relief.

McKeon ripped a double to right field, plating the first run making it 2-0 but the second runner was thrown out at the plate on a relay from Chris Alleyne, cut off by Yeiner Fernandez, and thrown home to Dalton Rushing. The Cubs added their third run on a sacrifice fly in the fifth, but left two on in the frame.

South Bend starter Richard Gallardo retired 12 of the first 15 batters he faced. The Loons stranded two in the first. Great Lakes scratched across two in the bottom of the fifth, against Gallardo.

Taylor Young singled and moved to second on a throwing error. Jake Vogel then delivered with a double, his third hit and second RBI in the last two games. Vogel moved to third on a passed ball and advanced home after a sacrifice fly from Dalton Rushing. South Bend reliever Brad Depperman went the next two innings unscathed.

In the top of the eighth, the Cubs loaded the bases on two walks and a single off Antonio Knowles. As the Loons went to make a move from the bullpen, the rain that started in the previous half-inning picked up and the tarp came out. The game was delayed for one hour and four minutes.

After the rain dissipated, Jack Dreyer entered, inheriting bases loaded with one out. After a seven-pitch battle, Josue Huma walked and the Cubs went up 4-2. Dreyer bounced back getting back-to-back strikeouts and working a scoreless ninth.

In the bottom of the ninth, Great Lakes had a chance to win it. Jarod Wright went 1-2-3 in the eighth, but walked the first two batters he faced in the ninth. Taylor Young then grounded a ball that snuck between the legs of the shortstop Kevin Made, which scored a run. With two on, the Loons were retired in order with a flyout and two strikeouts. Great Lakes left eight men on base.

The Loons and Cubs are back in action tomorrow Thursday, April 20th at Dow Diamond. The first pitch is 6:05 p.m.

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.