Rushing Drives in Four, Loons Push Past Cubs
MIDLAND, Mich. – Two three-run innings made up for ten left on base by the Great Lakes Loons (5-5) in their 6-3 win over the South Bend Cubs (6-4) on a 40-degree partly cloudy evening at Dow Diamond Through the first five innings, the Loons and Cubs stranded a combined
MIDLAND, Mich. – Two three-run innings made up for ten left on base by the Great Lakes Loons (5-5) in their 6-3 win over the South Bend Cubs (6-4) on a 40-degree partly cloudy evening at Dow Diamond
Through the first five innings, the Loons and Cubs stranded a combined 13 runners on base. Great Lakes starter Adolfo Ramirez walked six batters through 3.2 innings but worked out of trouble each time including bases loaded in the second. South Bend’s Kohl Franklin and Adam Laskey struck out eight.
The Cubs grabbed two runs in the sixth, the first team to convert with runners on. Kevin Made roped a ball down the left-field line. Mitchell Tyranski allowed the base runners on with a double and walk, Julian Smith permitted the hit but worked a scoreless seventh striking out two.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Loons cashed in on the opportunities presented to them. Jake Vogel tripled with one out, on a misplay in centerfield, Austin Gauthier and Alex Freeland both walked. On a 3-0 pitch with one out, Dalton Rushing ripped a three-run double to give Great Lakes a 3-2 lead.
The eighth saw another three spot. Yunior Garcia lifted his second homer of the season, a solo shot over the right field wall. Jake Vogel brought home Taylor Young on a single to center field. Three straight walks made it 6-2. Rushing walked for the fourth time in the game, this time with the bases loaded.
Christian Suarez worked a scoreless eighth, forcing a fielder’s choice after permitting a base on balls. Jake Pilarski made his third ninth-inning appearance of 2023. Even though the right-hander walked two, marking 12 for Loons pitching, he struck out two Cubs and ended the game by retiring the potential go-ahead runner.
The Loons and Cubs battle in game two of a six-game series Wednesday, April 19th at Dow Diamond. The first pitch will be 6:05 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.