Five Errors Doom Loons in 13-2 Loss

MIDLAND, MI – The Great Lakes Loons (63-55) coughed up a season-high five errors Friday night, falling to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (57-60) at Dow Diamond, 13-2. Wisconsin scored seven combined runs in the fifth and sixth innings, just one run was earned. Great Lakes loaded the bases three times in the Friday loss, bringing in no runs.

Along with a Lake County loss, Cedar Rapids defeated Peoria in come-from-behind fashion, pushing the Loons to the brink of elimination. With two games to play, the Kernels lead the Loons by a two-game margin, with Lake County tucked in between with a one-game lead.

Eddys Leonard recorded his second consecutive three-hit night for Great Lakes, finishing 3-for-5 with no runs or RBI Friday night. In his last three games, Leonard is 7-for-13 against Wisconsin.

Jorbit Vivas extended his on-base streak with a single and a walk early in Friday’s loss to make it 21 consecutive games reaching base safely.

The Loons struggled with runners in scoring position, finishing 2-for-13 and leaving 14 runners on-base. Wisconsin left 12 aboard, finishing 6-for-22 with runners in scoring position.

In his return to Michigan, Zavier Warren led the game with a 4-for-6 night, scoring five runs. The Southfield native and former Central Michigan Chippewa hit his second home run in his 34th game with the High-A Rattlers.

Alec Gamboa (L, 4-5) made his first start for the Loons since August 28 with 3 2/3 innings for Great Lakes, allowing two runs on a pair of walks and hits. Reliever Mike Mokma surrendered three unearned runs on the Warren HR in the fifth inning. Warren doubled in the sixth, capping a four-run frame for his fifth runs scored of the night.

Justin Jarvis walked and struck out four batters in 3 2/3 innings. Brady Schanuel relieved Jarvis for 1 1/3 innings, walking two batters but allowing no runs. Harold Chirino (W, 6-5) made his second appearance of the week, also holding the Loons scoreless on four hits and a walk and two strikeouts.

Joey Wiemer went deep twice against Great Lakes, finishing 2-for-6 with four runs scored. The Friday night long ball was the third of the week for Wiemer, who reached and scored on an error twice.

Carlos Alejo made his Loons debut in the four-run sixth, allowing only one of the runs to be earned. Cyrillo Watson appeared for just the second time in Loons uniform, also allowing an unearned run in 1 2/3 innings.

In the 13-1 loss, Great Lakes allowed the most runs, hits, and home runs Friday night than they have to any opponent this season. The Rattlers also posted the largest margin of defeat against Great Lakes so far in their 117 games played.

Great Lakes played Friday’s game at four hours and four minutes, tying their season-high. Great Lakes has now played three different games at a pace of four hours and four minutes, all of which are season-highs.

First pitch against Wisconsin Saturday night is set for 7:05 P.M. EDT, with gates opening an hour before first pitch. Coverage begins with the Loons On-Deck Circle, Built by Three Rivers, at 6:35 P.M. EDT.

Tickets, along with a full look at the upcoming promotional schedule can be found at Loons.com.

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.