Whitecaps Walk Way to Victory

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - West Michigan drew 10 walks from pitching, including eight in the first three innings, and handed the Loons their third straight loss on Wednesday night by a 4-1 score.
The Loons fall to 2-5 with one more game remaining on their seven-game road trip. The Loons have not won a nine-inning game this year. Both of the Loons wins occurred in a doubleheader sweep; a doubleheader game in the Midwest League lasts seven innings. 
After two scoreless innings, right-handed starter Marshall Kasowski (L, 0-1) walked the first two batters of the third before the Loons called for fellow righty Andre Scrubb from the bullpen. 
Scrubb picked up two outs, but also issued a walk to load the bases. His first pitch to lefty Jose Quero hit the batter to score a run, and Scrubb walked the following batter as well to put West Michigan up 2-0. Both runs were charged to Kasowski's line. 
The Loons' only run of the game was tallied in the fourth inning on a solid single to center by former Central Michigan Chippewa, Zach McKinstry. It was McKinstry's first RBI of the season, and he finished the night with two hits and a walk.
Walks again troubled the Loons and led to West Michigan runs in the sixth. A pair of free passes allowed by right-hander James Carter, coupled with a single by West Michigan leadoff hitter Cole Peterson, loaded the bases with one out. 
The Loons nearly turned a double play to keep the Whitecaps off the scoreboard in the inning, but a missed catch error charged to first baseman Nick Yarnall allowed a second run to score on a fielder's choice grounder from Joey Morgan. Shortstop Moises Perez fielded the chopper in the grass in front of second base, and made a difficult throw to second to force out one runner, but Zach McKinstry's throw to first popped out of Yarnall's glove.
West Michigan registered three hits in the game to the Loons five. Tigers' righty pitching prospect Wladimir Pinto earned the save despite a walk and a bloop double allowed in the ninth.
The series concludes Thursday at noon with the Loons on the ropes for a sweep. Dodgers' fifth-round pick Riley Ottesen starts against the Tigers' sixth-round pick from last year, Dane Myers, on the mound. Coverage can be heard on ESPN 100.9-FM, ESPN1009.com, Loons.com and on mobile devices using the TuneIn App.
The Loons will return to Dow Diamond next weekend for a three-game homestand against the Dayton Dragons on April 13-15. Friday's game will begin at 6:05 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday will both be matinees starting at 2:05 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.