Whitecaps Shutout Loons, 6-0

Midland, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (24-14) third winning streak of at least three games in a row ended tonight after an overall strong performance from the West Michigan Whitecaps (22-16), the winners 6-0 on a 65-degree Saturday night at Dow Diamond.

Great Lakes still leads the Midwest League East Division, up two games on West Michigan.

Jack O’Loughlin entered throwing five innings last season against the Loons, tonight here worked five scoreless. His third straight five-inning scoreless start. The Loons managed to produce three hits against the left-hander. Austin Gauthier led off the first inning with a single, and Dalton Rushing then doubled. O’Loughlin forced two flyouts and a strikeout, to escape unharmed.

In the top of the second, the Whitecaps plated five of their six runs. Great Lakes starter Jerming Rosario battled but allowed a single to Eliezer Alfonso on the seventh pitch of the at-bat. That was followed by a walk, and then a batter later Carlos Mendoza ripped a triple to right-center field, scoring two. Jace Jung, the Tigers No. 1 Prospect brought home Mendoza with a line drive single.

Another single and walk loaded the bases. The walk was on a sixth pitch to Justice Bigbie, a pitch numerous Loons thought was a strike and out number three. It instead spelled the end of Rosario’s day and led to an ejection of a currently unknown Great Lakes pitcher who was tossed from the bench.

Jack Dreyer entered in and gave up a walk and single, two runs scored the fourth and fifth to Rosario’s mark.

The bullpen of the Loons was strong the rest of the way. Franklin De La Paz finished two scoreless innings, his longest outing of the season. Reinaldo De Paula pitched the sixth, seventh, and eighth, giving up just two hits, one a solo homer for Dillion Paulson. Paulson’s, the former Loons’ first of the season. De Paula’s three innings completed is a first for him in 2023.

The Loons, in their final effort, had two singles, from Damon Keith and Griffin Lockwood-Powell. Keith had a two-hit game. Those two were two of the nine left on base by Great Lakes.

The series finale is tomorrow Sunday, May 21st, with a 1:05 p.m. first pitch. With a win, Great Lakes would take their fourth series win in a row. Sunday is Second Chance Mother’s Day, presented by AHP and Kids Eat Free & Run The Bases brought to you by EGLE.

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.