Ramirez Sets the Tone in Three-Hit Shutout Victory

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons were shut out Tuesday night and allowed three runs to the West Michigan Whitecaps.

On Wednesday night at LMCU Ballpark, they flipped the script entirely.

Great Lakes pitching held the Whitecaps offense in check Wednesday, allowing just three hits and two walks in a 3-0 shutout victory.

West Michigan (69-59, 38-24 second half) threatened to score in the first inning, putting a runner on second base with two outs for Josh Crouch, who singled to left field. Damon Keith collected and came up gunning to home plate, throwing out Ben Malgeri trying to score to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.

The Loons (76-52, 36-26 second half) got on the board in the third frame against West Michigan starter Carlos Pena (L, 1-1), spoiling his 24th birthday celebration. Kekai Rios led off the inning with a single before Eddys Leonard smacked a triple off the centerfield wall, driving in Rios and giving Great Lakes a 1-0 lead.

For Great Lakes, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ High-A partner, that one run was all the support the pitching staff would need. Adolfo Ramirez (W, 1-0) spun five scoreless innings in his second start for the Loons, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out six.

The Whitecaps, High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, were equally unsuccessful against the Loons’ relievers. Ryan Sublette tossed a perfect inning with one strikeout. Jeff Belge allowed a hit and a walk in two scoreless innings. In the ninth, Ben Harris (SV, 4) struck out the side in order.

The Loons used some late offense to collect insurance. Keith led off the eighth inning with a single, then a Diego Cartaya double put two men in scoring position with one out. After an intentional walk and a second out, Austin Gauthier drove in a run with a base on balls. In the ninth inning, Keith singled with two outs before Leonard smashed another triple, his second of the game and his fourth of the season, driving in another run and giving the Loons their final 3-0 margin.

With the loss and Lake County’s win earlier Tuesday, West Michigan’s odds for the playoffs have become increasingly long. They sit two games back with four to play and would not advance in a tiebreaker. They now need to win three more games than the Captains win in the next four contests – either they win out and Lake County wins just one game, or they win three games and Lake County loses out. The Captains, meanwhile, can clinch their spot in the playoffs Thursday, with just a win and a Great Lakes win. The winner between Lake County and West Michigan faces the Loons in the playoffs beginning Tuesday.

The six-game series between the Loons and Whitecaps is now tied at one game apiece, and the Loons have an 8-6 edge in the season series. Game three of the set is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Thursday at LMCU Ballpark. River Ryan (1-1, 0.82 ERA) takes the hill for Great Lakes, opposing fellow right-hander Keider Montero (7-7, 4.74 ERA) for the Whitecaps. Pregame coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on ESPN 100.9-FM with the Loons On-Deck Circle, driven by Garber Chevrolet Midland.

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.