Curry, Captains End Loons Win Streak

EASTLAKE, OH – It was another warm and humid night in greater Cleveland and unlike most nights the Loons (53-46) play at Classic Park, they were void of offense on Thursday. If not for a bases loaded walk in the ninth inning, the Loons would have been shutout for just the fourth time this season. Xzavion Curry (W, 5-1), Nathan Ocker, and Jerson Ramirez (Save, 11) held the Loons offense in check for Lake County (53-46) in a 6-1 win.

With the loss, and a Cedar Rapids win, the Loons are right back where they were to start the week – two games back of the Kernels for the second and final playoff spot in the High-A Central League. The loss also ends an impressive four-game win streak.

In what was considered the best pitching matchup of the series, Curry outdueled Great Lakes starter Hyun-Il Choi (L, 0-1) in a battle between two top-30 prospects. Curry was fresh off a five-inning start in Dayton last week where he did not allow and run and struck out 10 Dragons. While his final line on Thursday was not as spectacular (5.1 IP, 0 R, 4 K), the result was the same. Choi, in his fifth start with GL, allowed a season-high three runs and three walks.

Run-scoring plays for Lake County included a two-run single for Jose Tena in the third inning, and a Julian Escobedo RBI triple and Christian Cairo RBI single in the seventh. The Captains scored two other runs in the game on an Andy Pages error and Jose Hernandez wild pitch.

The Loons still hold the current series advantage 2-1 and the season-series edge at 13-8. The series continues on Friday night with a 7:00 p.m. EDT first pitch. Radio coverage on ESPN 100.9-FM dawns at 6:35.

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.