Outman Owns Loons Franchise Homerun Record

EASTLAKE, OH – James Outman’s seventh-inning homerun for Great Lakes (36-31) broke a 12-year record for most career Loons long balls in franchise history on Tuesday night, beginning a six-game series against Lake County (37-30) with a 7-5 loss at Classic Park. Kyle Russell, a member of the 2009 Great Lakes Loons, formerly held the record with his 26 homeruns in 2009, a mark that Outman tied with a homerun on July 15.

Tuesday’s game was dominated by the long ball, with both teams tallying four HRs of their own. Ryan Ward homered twice, his third time this season doing so. The Loons finished Tuesday’s loss with four homeruns for the fifth time this year, accomplishing the same feature just four nights earlier in Dayton on July 16.

Loons starter Jesus Vargas (L, 5-3) allowed five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, with three runs plated in the bottom of the first. Vargas made sure to make the most of his series debut, walking none and striking out five batters. Lake County’s Jared Janczak (W, 4-0) walked five batters relieving starter Kevin Coulter.

After a 3-0 first inning for the Captains, the Loons began to go back-and-fourth in a game loaded with scoring. Outman and Ward both led Great Lakes with two runs batted in. Ward finished 2-for-3, with both hits leaving Classic Park. Joe Vranesh was the only other multi-hitter for the Loons, finishing Tuesday’s game 2-for-4. Great Lakes was 0-for-2 in Tuesday’s loss with runners at second and third, leaving six men left on base.

Captains leftfielder Will Brennan had a game-high three hits as the Lake County leadoff man, finishing 3-for-4 and scoring three times. Brayan Rocchio and George Valera finished with two hits, both contributing homeruns. As a club, Lake County finished 2-for-5 with runners in scoring position, leaving just two men aboard.

After a six-game series for Great Lakes against first-place Dayton, the Loons and Captains began the week tied behind Dayton for second in the East a half-game out of first. Entering Tuesday, three teams sat at the 36-win mark in the East Division, with Cedar Rapids resting at 36 wins in the West.

Fresh off of being recognized as the High-A Central’s offensive Player of the Week, Lewis hit his fifth homerun in his last five games for Great Lakes. In 2021, Lewis has nine with the Loons and 18 since the beginning of the season. Lewis sits 14th in the HAC with his nine HRs at the High-A level in just 74 plate appearances, more than half less than anyone with nine or more homeruns at the level.

A series slugfest between Lake County and Great Lakes continues with game two on Wednesday night at Classic Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 P.M. EDT from Classic Park. Loons left-hander Alec Gamboa will make his seventh start for the Loons Wednesday night with 42 strikeouts in 48 innings. Opposing Gamboa is scheduled to be Lake County’s Xzavion Curry in his 11th start, his seventh of the year with the Captains. In 32 2/3 innings in Lake County, Curry has 40 strikeouts and an 0.98 WHIP. Coverage begins on ESPN 100.9 FM with the Loons On-Deck Circle, Built by Three Rivers at 6:30 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.