Loons Set Single-Season Strikeout Record in Doubleheader Split

MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons have been one of the best strikeout teams in Minor League Baseball this season, entering the series with the Fort Wayne TinCaps ranked third in all of MiLB in pitcher strikeouts.

In a doubleheader Thursday night, they cemented their legacy as the best strikeout team in franchise history.

The Loons struck out 18 batters in two seven-inning games – a 9-4 win followed by a 3-0 loss to the TinCaps – to set the single-season record for strikeouts in a season. Great Lakes has now punched out 1,260 batters this year and counting, surpassing the 1,256 strikeouts recorded by the 2014 Loons.

The Loons (71-46, 31-20 second half) started the scoring in game one in the bottom of the second inning. Damon Keith walked and Austin Gauthier singled before Ismael Alcantara hit a two-run triple to drive in the first two runs of the contest. After a Jorbit Vivas walk, Diego Cartaya drove in another pair with a double. The Loons took a 4-0 lead into the third.

Great Lakes, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ High-A partner, scored one more in the third inning. Eddys Leonard walked before an RBI double from Jose Ramos to put the home side up, 5-0. All that damage was done against TinCaps starter Efraín Contreras (L, 0-4).

Fort Wayne (46-70, 19-31) scored two runs in the fourth inning on a hit, three walks and three wild pitches to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Alcantara had the immediate response, a solo homer on the first pitch of the bottom of the fourth inning. Alcantara hit his third homer of the year with Great Lakes and his sixth of the season overall. Cartaya walked before Leonard blasted his 14th longball of the year and his second in as many games. The Loons stretched their advantage to 8-2 in that frame.

After three walks in the fifth inning, Cartaya hit an RBI single to drive in the ninth and final run for Great Lakes, leading 9-2 at the time.

The TinCaps, High-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, scored two runs in the sixth inning on one hit off of Braydon Fisher (W, 4-4) to reach the final score of 9-4.

In game two, all the scoring happened early – the TinCaps scored three runs in the first two inning on just two hits. Loons starter Kendall Williams (L, 3-4) went five frames, allowing three hits and three walks for three runs, but just one was earned. He struck out five batters; his final strikeout was the one that broke the record.

Ryan Bergert (W, 3-9) earned the win in game two with five shutout innings for Fort Wayne. He allowed three hits and four walks while striking out eight.

For the Loons, Carlos Duran struck out six batters in game one, Fisher struck out three and Antonio Knowles picked up one in his lone inning in the first game. Those 10 strikeouts set the table for Williams to break the record in game two, then Joan Valdez added another three punchouts for good measure.

It’s been a total team effort for the Loons with strikeouts this season. All 36 Loons – including position player Max Hewitt – that have toed the rubber have recorded at least one punchout. 11 different pitchers have at least 50 strikeouts in their time with Great Lakes this season, led by 127 from Nick Nastrini, now with Double-A Tulsa. Emmet Sheehan leads the active Loons in strikeouts with 93.

The Loons hold a 2-1 series lead against the TinCaps and clinch a win in the season series, currently leading 10-5 with three games to play this week at Dow Diamond. The set continues Friday at 7:05 p.m., with ESPN 100.9-FM coverage kicking off at 6:50 p.m. with the Loons On-Deck Circle, driven by Garber Chevrolet Midland. Sheehan (7-2, 2.72 ERA) takes the hill for the Loons, a right-hander, opposing Fort Wayne lefty Jackson Wolf (6-7, 4.09 ERA).

At Dow Diamond, it’s the final Copa de la Diversión night of 2022, presented by MLIVE.com. The Loons transform into los Pepinillos Picantes del Norte. Prior to the game, fans will run the Loons Pennant Race thanks to Greater Midland Races, a 5K or one-mile run that starts and ends in the ballpark. After the game, Outdoor Adventures presents the $10K Dice Roll Game – one lucky fan gets the chance to roll four dice to win $10,000. It’s also a Feast Friday, presented by Isabella Bank: enjoy deep discounts on myriad concession fare all night long. Tickets are still available at 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.