MIDLAND, Mich. - Coming from behind to win has become common for the Great Lakes Loons. It was put on display again as infielder Devin Mann ripped a two-out triple to score two and help give his team a 3-2 victory over the Dayton Dragons on Monday at Dow Diamond.Mann's
MIDLAND, Mich. - Coming from behind to win has become common for the Great Lakes Loons. It was put on display again as infielder Devin Mann ripped a two-out triple to score two and help give his team a 3-2 victory over the Dayton Dragons on Monday at Dow Diamond.
Mann's heroics wouldn't have been enough if not for center fielder Chris Roller in the top of the ninth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Dayton catcher Mark Kolozsvary hit a single to score a run. On the same play, the Dragons attempted to send Andy Sugilio around third, but Roller threw him out at home plate to end the game.
The Dragons (20-30) only had five hits, while the Loons (23-27) had seven. Great Lakes remains 0.5 games back of a Midwest League playoff spot.
Loons starting pitcher Joel Inoa threw 6.0 innings and issued one run, two hits, two walks, and registered four strikeouts. In the top of the second, Kolozsvary hit the first triple of his professional career to drive in J.D. Williams for a 1-0 lead.
The Dragons starter Austin Orewiler helped keep the Loons off the board early, firing 6.0 innings of scoreless ball. He struck out seven giving up four hits and one walk.
Orewiler turned the ball over to right-handed reliever Dauri Moreta, who was just as effective until the eighth inning when he put Gersel Pitre on with a leadoff single. Then, Andy Cox (L, 1-1) and Miguel Aguilar threw in relief but loaded the bases. A wild pitch by Aguilar allowed Pitre to tie the game, 1-1.
The next hitter, Mann, pushed Jacob Amaya and Drew Avans around on his first professional triple to give the team a 3-1 edge. The three-bagger proved to be the difference maker.
Jasiel Alvino (SV, 6) loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the ninth but got out of the jam due to Roller's throw from center field, earning himself a save and the team a win. Great Lakes has taken six games in a row from its opponents, last losing on Aug. 6 against the Lake County Captains.
Great Lakes reliever Devin Hemmerich (W, 4-5) pitched the seventh and eighth inning. He did not allow a hit to the Dragons.
The Loons aim for a four-game series sweep on Tuesday at Dow Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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.
