Loons Lose Marathon to Fort Wayne

MIDLAND, Mich. - In his first start with the team this season, starting pitcher Matt Shelton had a quality outing. Despite three days off during the Midwest League All-Star break, the defense was sharp. 

But in vast contrast to what has earned them a playoff spot this fall, the Great Lakes Loons never found any significant time in their offensive comfort zone during a 13-inning marathon and dropped their first game of the second half of the regular season to the Fort Wayne TinCaps 4-1 on Thursday night at Dow Diamond. 

A three-run 13th inning was started by Fort Wayne right fielder Franmil Reyes hit a ball deep enough to score an RBI flyout, giving the TinCaps a 2-1 lead. The visiting team added an insurance run on a wild pitch from Loons reliever Bubby Rossman, who took the loss. 

Great Lakes tied the game 1-1 during the bottom of the 9th inning on right fielder Alex Santana's two-out and two-strike base hit to right field.

"It's a tough loss," Santana said. "We are pretty confident going into extra innings. We usually win close games like this." 

The Loons (38-31) missed several key opportunities to tie the game early, most notably during the bottom of the 3rd inning. Centerfielder Alex Verdugo led off the inning with a double off the foot of Reyes. 

Great Lakes shortstop Cristian Gomez followed with a rocket-shot base hit on the next pitch, enticing Loons manager and third base coach Luis Matos to send Verdugo home to attempt to score the tying run. 

But a perfect throw from TinCaps centerfielder Michael Gettys beat Verdugo to the plate and his sliding attempt went unrewarded. 

"It's tough when you don't put the ball in play with runners in scoring position," Matos said. "The pitching today did a good job." 

TinCaps starting pitcher Dinelson Limet took over from there, surrendering just two hits and one walk while striking out six batters during five innings of work. T.J. Weir (3-2) earned the victory for Fort Wayne. 

Fort Wayne (33-36) grabbed the initial lead on a one-out solo home run from Gettys, his fourth of the year. 
Shelton allowed four hits, including Gettys' lead-earning blast, during five innings of work.

He was relieved by Jose Molina, who allowed the first three hitters he faced to reach base. Second baseman Kelvin Ramos kick-started a 6-4-3 double play to help the Loons escape the inning trailing by just one run. 

Designated hitter Jimmy Allen managed a two-out double down the left field line during the bottom of the 6th inning, but was stranded in scoring position. 

Great Lakes starting pitcher Trevor Oaks takes the mound for game two of the series Friday night. Oaks was 3-5 during the first half of the season and posted a 2.89 earned run average. He will oppose TinCaps starter Michael Kelly, who is 3-1 with a 5.48 ERA. 

Friday night is Scout Sleepover Night at Dow Diamond, while the Zooperstars will also be on hand to visit fans at the ballpark during the game. 

The Great Lakes Loons are a ninth-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For tickets and more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com, or call 989-837-BALL.

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