Loons Rally to Sweep Series in Beloit

BELOIT, Wis. - Alex Santana and Jacob Scavuzzo launched late, clutch home runs and Malcolm Holland singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th providing the Great Lakes Loons with the winning recipe for a series sweep over the Beloit Snappers Wednesday evening in a 7-6 victory.

Trailing 5-2 entering the eighth, Santana followed a Joey Curletta double by lifting a high, deep drive that landed over the left field scoreboard.

One inning later, Scavuzzo blasted a deep drive down the left field line to tie the score, 5-5. Later in the inning

Paul Hoenecke walked and pinch runner Delvis Morales scored on a double by Curletta to give the Loons the lead by one.

But in the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Mathews reached on a one-out error by Morales at third base and scored a tying, unearned run on a double by Ryan Huck.

Undeterred, Great Lakes reclaimed the lead in the 10th. Santana reached on a fielding error by Sam Roberts.

Following a bunt and a sacrifice, Malcolm Holland drove home Santana with a single to right-center to give the Loons the lead.

Michael Johnson worked a scoreless ninth to notch the Loons' first team save of the year.

Jacob Rhame (2-0) was credited with the win and a blown save with an unearned run allowed in one inning of work.

James Campbell started and was charged with four runs over 4 1/3 frames. James Baune took over and allowed just one hit - a homer - and one run in 2 2/3 innings. Jack McGeary handled a scoreless eighth.

Andres Avila (0-1) took the loss for Beloit with a run allowed in the 10th.

The Loons stole seven bases in the contest, establishing a new team record. Scavuzzo thieved three bases, while Holland and Dillon Moyer swiped two each. For the three game series, the Loons went 14-for-14 in stolen base attempts, all against catcher Andy Paz. 

Santana notched a team-high three hits for the Loons, who begin a three-game series Thursday in Appleton, WI, against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Game time Thursday is 7:35 pm ET. Each team hopes that a right-handed starting pitcher named Victor leads their squad to victory with Arano (0-0, 1.93 ERA) scheduled to begin the game for the Loons and Diaz (0-0, 1.50) starting for Wisconsin. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 100.9-FM and ESPN1009.com.

The Great Lakes Loons are an eighth-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For tickets and more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com, or call 989-837-BALL.