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Whitecaps Make it Seven in a Row

Struggles for Great Lakes continue against Tigers affiliate
April 22, 2018

MIDLAND, Mich. - The West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) made it seven-straight wins over the Great Lakes Loons this season with a 2-1 win on Sunday at Dow Diamond in Midland. The Whitecaps (11-3) jumped out to an early lead for the third time in three games against the Loons (3-11) for

MIDLAND, Mich. - The West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) made it seven-straight wins over the Great Lakes Loons this season with a 2-1 win on Sunday at Dow Diamond in Midland. 
The Whitecaps (11-3) jumped out to an early lead for the third time in three games against the Loons (3-11) for a 2-0 edge in the top of the third inning. 
After walking Jose Quero and Alexis Garcia, right-handed starting pitcher Melvin Jimenez (L, 0-2) allowed a two-run double to Luke Burch. The two runs driven in by Burch gave him seven against the Loons during the three-game series.
West Michigan's starting pitcher Brandon Bass (W, 2-0) lowered his earned run average to 0.90 with a solid pitching outing against the Loons. He tossed 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and three walks. Bass struck out seven batters. 
After the Loons went down early, Andre Scrubb relieved Jimenez and retired six of the first seven batters he faced. Jimenez allowed two runs on three hits and one walk in 5.0 innings with four strikeouts. Scrubb threw 3.0 scoreless innings of relief work for the Loons.
Ramon Rodriguez, Brandon Montgomery, and Marcus Chiu reached base to start the bottom of the seventh and Rodriguez scored on a groundout by Romer Cuadrado for their first and only run of the game.
Zach McKinstry, who was replaced by Montgomery late in the game, reached base in all three plate appearances with a single and two walks. He improved his batting average to .387 on the season. 
Being held to just five hits, the Whitecaps received offensive help from Burch and Garcia, who combined to go 3-for-7 at the plate. After 85 walks by the Loons pitching staff to start the season, Jimenez, Scrubb, and Kasowski got back on track, allowing just one to West Michigan on Sunday.
Wladimir Pinto (S, 3) allowed two baserunners in the ninth inning, but was able to shut down the Loons to earn a save and preserve the victory. 
The Loons now begin a four-game series at Dow Diamond against the Fort Wayne TinCaps starting on Monday.
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.