Loons Drop Series Finale to Whitecaps 8-4

MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (8-7) left 13 runners on base, and the West Michigan Whitecaps (7-8) accumulated 14 hits to grab the series finale by a score of 8-4 on a 50-degree partly cloudy and windy Sunday afternoon at Dow Diamond. West Michigan won the series four games to two.

Up 4-2, the Whitecaps scored three runs in the seventh inning. After Michael Martinez induced two groundouts, a walk, and two 0-2 pitches were singles, one by Roberto Compos and a two-run single from Izzac Pacheco. Both runs on Pacheco’s single scored on a throw up the line, it also allowed him to get to third. Peyton Graham next-up singled to plate Pacheco.

The Loons had a response in the bottom of the seventh but left more on the bone. Thayron Liranzo walked on six pitches with one out to set up Yunior Garcia’s second two-run home run in as many days. Hit 417 feet, the longest blast for Great Lakes this season. Now down 7-4, Nick Biddison doubled with two outs, but a flyball left him aboard.

In the middle innings, the Loons stranded six runners on base. Whitecaps starter Carlos Marcano worked around an error and walked in the fourth, forcing a popup. In the fifth, Liranzo hit a ball 109 miles per hour right into a 4-6 double play lineout.

In the next frame, the Loons got a run on a wild pitch, but with bases loaded, Dylan Campbell was robbed of an extra-base hit by a diving catch by Roberto Campos on the warning track in center field.

Great Lakes' bullpen was strained this week. Jacob Meador, who started Tuesday pitched today, allowing a run through three innings. Christian Romero, who was touched up for two in the fourth throwing 36 pitches, was extended into the fifth and sixth responsible for three runs. A Danny Serretti homer, and a Jose Sibrian RBI single in the fourth.

Rounding Things Out

The Loons' first run was scored in the first, a Kyle Nevin RBI double. Nevin leads Great Lakes with five doubles and seven extra-base hits.

Up Next

The Loons begin a 12-game road trip, six in Fort Wayne, Indiana facing the TinCaps and six in Appleton, Wisconsin versus the Timber Rattlers. Coverage of all 12 games is on Sports Radio 100.9 The Mitt. Game one is Tuesday, April 23rd, against the Fort Wayne TinCaps, first pitch is at 6:35 p.m. The Great Lakes Loons return to Dow Diamond on Tuesday, May 7th. It will be a School Kids Day game presented by Central Michigan University, first pitch is at 11:05 am.

The Great Lakes Loons have been 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 Sports Radio 100.9 The Mitt. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.