Dragons Win Series, Shutout Loons in Series Finale

Midland, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (73-52) (28-32) were shutout for the sixth time this season in their final home regular season game of 2023, losing 7-0 to the Dayton Dragons (64-62) (31-29) on an 81-degree Sunday at Dow Diamond. Great Lakes finished their home slate with a record of 34-31.

Hyun-il Choi struck out two in his first frame but permitted four runs and five hits across the next three innings. A hit by pitch and walk started the second, Dayton’s Justice Thompson lined a ball to left field to open the scoring. A Hector Rodriguez sacrifice fly made it 2-0.

In the third inning, Edwin Arroyo and Sal Stewart both reached via base knocks to begin the frame. Allan Cerda sliced a single to left field, and an Austin Hendrick sacrifice fly pushed the Dragons ahead 4-0.

The Loons bullpen kept it within striking distance. Franklin De La Paz struck out two in the fifth inning, and Mitchell Tyranski induced a 4-6-3 double play in a scoreless sixth. The Loons offense only managed two baserunners in the middle innings.

Dayton added three insurance runs in the final three innings. Two errors plated two runs in the seventh, and a 416-foot solo home run from Justice Thompson brought the score to 7-0 in the eighth. Michael Hobbs pitched the seventh, and Christian Suarez tossed the eighth.

Non-pitcher Taylor Young pitched in the ninth forced two flyouts, and after a single, punched out Justice Thompson on six pitches. The 25-year-old made his pro debut on the mound.

Great Lakes offensively had two hits. With two outs in the third inning, Nick Biddison doubled, and Taylor Young walked, but Dayton right-hander Carson Rudd summoned a popup. Rudd went five scoreless innings. Five of the final nine outs for Great Lakes batters were strikeouts.

The final series of the regular season begins Tuesday, September 5th as the Loons play a six-game set with the West Michigan Whitecaps. Right now, West Michigan trails Fort Wayne by a half-game with six to go in the Midwest League East Division. The first place finisher faces Great Lakes in the playoffs beginning Tuesday, September 12th.

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.