Loons Take Series, Top Whitecaps behind Two Four-Run Innings

Comstock Park, Mich.– The Great Lakes Loons (46-20) plated eight runs, four in the third inning and four in the fifth inning to whack the West Michigan Whitecaps (32-34) 8-6 on an 80-degree Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.

The Loons have won 46 of their first 66 games, a .696 winning percentage. Great Lakes has won 27 of 34 games on the road this season, a minor-league baseball best.

In the third inning, the Loons tallied four runs off four hits, three scored with two outs. Frank Rodriguez reached on a six-pitch walk, and Chris Newell roped the first pitch he saw to right field. With runners on the corners, Luis Diaz delivered a ball to center field, to score Rodriguez, his sixth RBI of the series.

With Newell at second and two outs, Alex Freeland ripped one into center, to score Newell. Freeland has 41 runs batted in, tied for fifth in the Midwest League. A Griffin Lockwood-Powell walk put two on for Taylor Young. On a payoff pitch, Young grounded a ball to the vacant right side of the infield, netting two runs and making it a 4-1 score.

Three doubles brought four across in the top of the fifth inning. A Dalton Rushing walk and Alex Freeland fielder’s choice put two on. The bases were cleared by a double from Griffin Lockwood-Powell. He has six RBI in the first four games of the series.

Taylor Young plated Lockwood-Powell with a double up the third base line. His second RBI of the game. Frank Rodriguez clubbed a two-out double to the warning track in straightaway centerfield to bring the score to 8-1.

Kendall Williams started the game for Great Lakes, his first road appearance of 2023. Williams worked around four walks, his only run permitted on a wild pitch in the second inning.

West Michigan started their comeback effort down 8-1, in the fifth. Jace Jung jolted his 12th home run of the year, a solo shot. He leads the Midwest League in homers. A Josh Crouch RBI single made it 8-3. Both runs came off Jack Dreyer, ending a 12.1 innings scoreless streak.

Adolfo Ramirez permitted the next three runs, finishing just 1.2 innings. Roberto Campos connected for an RBI double in the sixth, Eliezer Alfonso doubled home a run in the seventh and scored on an Izzac Pacheco sacrifice fly. Michael Hobbs finished the seventh and struck out two in a clean eighth to keep it 8-6.

Benony Robles closed the ninth, his fifth save, and fourth in June. He struck out two, including the potential tying runner to finish the game.

With the series already won, Great Lakes' next objective is a sweep of West Michigan. Game five in the six-game series is tomorrow Saturday, June 24th. The first pitch is at 7:05 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.