Hot Rods Leave Loons in Dust
MIDLAND, Mich. - Tuesday night at Dow Diamond saw four-run innings from both the Great Lakes Loons and Bowling Green Hot Rods. But, the Loons had their crooked number in the 5th inning, while the Hot Rods chose to have theirs in the 11th to give them the 8-4 victory.
The Hot Rods (64-62, 27-29) scored four runs on five hits in the top of the 11th inning against Derrick Sylvester (1-4), who was making his first appearance in a Loons uniform since July 4. Coty Blanchard and Thomas Milone, who each had RBI-singles in the 11th, each went 3-for-5 on the night to go along with three others who were 2-for-5.
It was the first extra-innings affair at Dow Diamond since June 25 and despite the final score, there were some solid pitching performances from both teams.
After Hot Rods centerfielder Thomas Milone led off the 6th inning with a triple against Victor Gonzalez, the left-hander struck out Riley Unroe before giving way to Bubby Rossman. Taking over for Gonzalez, Rossman then struck out Hunter Lockwood and Bralin Jackson grounded out, stranding Milone at third base keeping Bowling Green off the board.
In the bottom of the 8th inning, the Loons (62-62, 24-32) loaded the bases with one out against Edwin Fierro. Brian Wolfe led off with a single, followed by Matt Beaty who reached on a walk and Justin Chigbogu who added a single. After a pitching change that saw Brian Miller enter the game, he proceeded to strike out Federico Celli and get Julian Leon to pop out, leaving the Loons empty handed.
Great Lakes reliever Scott Griggs would give the Loons a chance for a walk-off win in the bottom 9th after he struck out the side in order. On the night, Loons pitchers struck out 13 batters. However, after the Hot Rods took the lead late, Kyle Bird (4-0) polished off the Loons in the bottom of the 11th to pick up the win.
Beaty, Leon, Jordan Tarsovich and Michael Ahmed each scored runs for the Loons in the bottom of the 5th to give Great Lakes their four-run inning. Ahmed was one of two players for the Loons to have a multi-hit game, going 3-for-6 with a run batted in.
"I had been struggling lately and wasn't really feeling too comfortable in the box," Ahmed said. "Today, I just tried to go out there, be aggressive, look for something in the zone and attack early."
Wolfe, who entered Tuesday's game on a 13-game hitting streak, was 0-for-3 before he placed a bloop single into left field. Now at 14 games, Wolfe needs a hit in Wednesday's homestand finale to join Josh Bell (2007) and Jovanny Rosario (2008) for the fourth-longest hitting streak in Loons history. Wolfe's streak includes games played with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in the California League, while Rosario and Bell had each had theirs only with the Loons. The longest hitting streak in club history belongs to Brian Cavazos-Galvez (2010) at 24 games.
Featuring on the mound for the Loons in the homestand finale tomorrow will be Andrew Sopko. Since being drafted in the 7th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in June, Sopko is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 8 appearances between the Loons and the Rookie-League Ogden Raptors. It will be his third start since joining the Great Lakes roster. Henry Centeno will start for Bowling Green.
Wednesday will be Salute to the Arts Night. It is also a Winning Wednesday at Dow Diamond presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. One lucky fan will win a free Amazon Fire HD, while another will win the grand prize, a Family 4 Pack to the Great Wolfe Lodge in Traverse City for a 3-day, 2-night stay.
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.