Loons whitewash Lugnuts, 4-0

MIDLAND, Mich. – Led by seven strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings from starter Ronan Kopp, the Great Lakes Loons (2-2, 47-22) tossed a combined four-hit shutout to defeat the Lansing Lugnuts (1-3, 32-37), 4-0, in the opener of a six-game series on Wednesday night at Dow Diamond.

Freshly activated from the Injured List Tuesday, Lugnuts right fielder Caeden Trenkle returned to the lineup for the first time since May 7 and went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and a stolen base.

The Lugnuts’ other hits came from an Euribiel Ángeles fifth-inning single and a Danny Bautista, Jr. ninth-inning infield single that loaded the bases with two outs, bringing up Clark Elliott as the potential game-tying run – but Benony Robles relieved Juan Morillo and struck out Elliott to end the game.

In the loss, Lansing starter Brady Basso struck out seven in four innings, allowing two hits. The second of those hits was a solo home run by Dalton Rushing to right in the fourth inning that gave Great Lakes a 1-0 lead.

The Loons added three runs in the sixth inning against Jack Owen.

Brock Whittlesey followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings before Stevie Emanuels pitched a hitless eighth, striking out one while issuing a walk to Taylor Young, who he then picked off first base.

Right-hander Jose Dicochea starts the second game of the series, slated for 7:05 p.m. Thursday against Great Lakes southpaw Maddux Bruns.

The Lugnuts play the Loons through Monday before returning home on Independence Day to host the Lake County Captains in a six-game series. Tickets are available via lansinglugnuts.com or by calling (517) 485-4500 during office hours.

# # #