Walk-Off Win in Extras

MIDLAND, Mich. - Another game, another walk-off.
With a runner on second base in the bottom of the 10th inning, Great Lakes Loons outfielder Josh McLain pulled the ball deep down the third base line and the throw to first was bobbled. Miguel Vargas raced home safely for a 4-3 victory over the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Thursday at Dow Diamond. 
It marked the third Loons walk-off victory in the last 11 games. Great Lakes has won eight of its last nine and are currently one of the hottest teams in the Midwest League winning 23 games since July 7.
Still chasing the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) and Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres), the Loons are just 0.5 game back of a Midwest League Eastern Division playoff spot with 17 games to play.
It seemed as if the Loons (25-28) would put the game away after scoring two runs for a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh against reliever Tyler Zombro. Drew Avans sent his second triple of the season to left field for an RBI and Devin Mann scored Avans with a single.
However in the eighth facing Moises Gomez, Loons reliever Jasiel Alvino gave up a two-run homer. The blast to left field allowed the Hot Rods to tie the game. Alvino, who only gave up one run in his last six outings, finished the eighth and ninth inning before giving the ball up to Melvin Jimenez (W, 3-7) for extra innings. 
John Rooney started for the Loons and faced immediate trouble in the first inning. While Ronaldo Hernandez was attempting to steal second base, Loons catcher Hunter Feduccia made an attempt to throw him out. At the same time, Taylor Walls scampered home.
Rooney was removed from the game after 2.2 innings of work. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk with five strikeouts. He handed the ball over to Devin Hemmerich. 
Great Lakes got a run back in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly by Feduccia. The fly ball to left field was deep enough to drive in Devin Mann. It was Feduccia's sixth RBI in his 25 games for the Loons.
For the Hot Rods (31-22), starter Tobias Myers struck out five hitters in 5.0 innings, giving up one run on six hits and two walks. 
Avans made possibly the most important play of the game in the top of the 10th with a double play on a fly ball to left field. After making the catch, his throw home beat Bowling Green's Jake Stone to keep the score tied. The Loons then put the finishing touches on a hard-fought victory with McLain's hit off Tyler Day (L, 0-5) to even the series. 
The Loons wrap up 13 home games in 17 days on Friday night in a rubber match with the Hot Rods. First pitch is at 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.