All It Takes Is One

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - The Great Lakes Loons bats were held mostly quiet in all but one inning on Friday night at Fifth Third Ballpark against the West Michigan Whitecaps. The Loons used a four-run fifth inning to come away with a 4-3 win in game three of a five-game series.
Great Lakes (23-15) scored all four of their fifth-inning runs with two outs. Against West Michigan starter Wilkel Hernandez, the Loons put five straight baserunners aboard beginning with a walk by Leonel Valera. Then, Chris Roller singled, Miguel Vargas singled, Hunter Feduccia doubled and Niko Hulsizer singled home two runs on the biggest hit of the inning. Hernandez (L, 4-3) ultimately finished off six innings with those four earned runs on six hits and one walk.
West Michigan had scored the first run of the game in the third inning on a sac fly and brought themselves within one with two more runs in the sixth inning, but Loons starter Stephen Kolek was able to do just enough to earn the win. Kolek (W, 2-2) fell one out short of becoming just the second Loons starter to log six innings this season. The former Texas A&M Aggie allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk.
After Kolek departed, the combination of Joel Inoa and Brett de Geus shut the Whitecaps out over the final three 1/3 innings. Inoa increased his scoreless innings streak to six 1/3 innings with one 1/3 innings in the game. de Geus (S, 1) pitched the final two innings while facing just one above the minimum. It's the first save of de Geus' career after being used exclusively as a starter in his first year playing in pro ball in 2018.
The Loons are now two days in their longest road trip of the season and they're off to a 2-1 start. Game four of the trip is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EDT Saturday against West Michigan. The probable pitching matchup features two right-handers with sub-three earned run averages - Andre Jackson for Great Lakes and Carlos Guzman for West Michigan. Radio pregame coverage begins at 6:35.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
May 24: Feel Good Friday Kickoff; postgame Koozie Giveaway & concert with Jack Droppers & the Best Intentions
May 25: 3 Millionth Fan Celebration with $5,000 grand prize; postgame Fireworks Loontacular
May 26: Lou E's Kids Club Takeover 
May 27: Military Appreciation Day feat. the first game-worn jersey auction of the season
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.