Loons End Whitecaps Win Streak With 5-4 Final

MIDLAND, Mich. – The longest High-A Central winning streak of eight games ended Wednesday night, as the Great Lakes Loons (13-13) held on to top the West Michigan Whitecaps (15-10), 5-4. A multi-hit night for Miguel Vargas extended his on-base streak to 23 games. Loons reliever Jesus Vargas (W, 3-2) allowed one run on three hits through 5 2/3 innings, striking out three. Jesus Rodriguez (L, 1-2) was responsible for all five runs, just two earned, on four hits for the Whitecaps. Two hours and 28 minutes on Wednesday was the fastest nine-inning game for the Loons this year.

In his sixth start, GL’s Clayton Beeter surrendered two runs on three hits on another fast West Michigan start in this series. The Whitecaps plated six runs on eight hits in Tuesday’s series debut. Beeter ended with another one-inning start, striking out one and walking none. Jesus Vargas relieved Beeter for the next 5 2/3 innings, throwing 51 strikes on 65 pitches, with his lone run coming on a solo homerun to Dillon Dingler to lead off the fourth inning. Fellow righty Jake Cantleberry made his debut in a Loons uniform recording four outs, allowing one run on two hits. Cameron Gibbens (S, 2) made his second appearance for Great Lakes with a scoreless save, striking out one in the ninth.

Along with Miguel Vargas extending his on-base streak to 23 games, Leonel Valera moved his to 21 games with a walk in the second. An on-base streak of 22 games ended for Andy Pages, which dated back to May 7. A 2-for-4 performance for Vargas was his tenth multi-hit night of the season, his second in his last three games. Vargas improved his batting average to .321, second-highest in the HAC, and increased his league-best hit count to 34. Loons first baseman Justin Yurchak finished 2-for-3, his first multi-hit night of the season. Yurchak, who tallied two RBI on Wednesday night, played in 38 games for the Loons in 2019.

Whitecaps relievers Sam Kessler and Zach Hess tied together the final three innings allowing no runs on one hit, walking none and striking out three. The two relievers of Kessler and Hess threw a combined 31 strikes on 40 pitches. GL pitchers held West Michigan to four hits after a three-hit first, scoring only on solo homers from Dingler and Wenceel Perez. West Michigan finished 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position, while the Loons ended 2-for-7 in the same stat. For the second consecutive night, a total of 1,297 fans gathered at Dow Diamond.

Another righty-righty matchup awaits both teams in Thursday’s contest, as the Loons’ Logan Boyer is scheduled to make his sixth start of the year, and will do so against West Michigan’s Keider Montero. A non-drafted free agent in 2016, Montero has been a member of the Tigers’ system since 2017. Boyer, taken by LA in the 11th round in 2019, continues his first year in the Dodgers’ organization. Thursday’s game is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. EDT start from Dow Diamond, with gates opening an hour early. Fans can look forward to half-off all beers and canned seltzers for Thirsty Thursday at Dow Diamond, presented by Miller Lite.

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.