Pedro Avila Sets Franchise Mark Against Loons

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MIDLAND, Mich. - The Fort Wayne TinCaps set multiple franchise records in a Tuesday night win over the Great Lakes Loons at Dow Diamond. In doing so, Fort Wayne swept a four-game series on the road for the first time since August, 2010.
Fort Wayne starting pitcher Pedro Avila struck out 17 Loons including a stretch of 9 straight strikeouts from the end of the 5th to the middle of the 8th inning. 17 strikeouts is a Fort Wayne franchise record and the most strikeouts for a TinCaps pitcher since LaTroy Hawkins in the team's first year of existence, 1993.
The combination of six Loons pitchers walked a Loons franchise record 14 batters in the game, which was also a team record for Fort Wayne. Even though the TinCaps walked 14 times and were hit by three pitches, they were only able to muster one run in regulation. Fort Wayne's offense only had one hit until the 9th inning.
With the score 1-1, Fort Wayne had their chance to break the tie in the 8th and 9th innings by loading the bases in both frames. The Loons also threatened in the 9th by putting two men on with two outs, but were foiled in their walk-off attempt by TinCaps right fielder Nate Easley. With Saige Jenco on second base, Starling Heredia lined a single into right field and Jenco was sent home, but did not score on a 9-2 outfield assist put-out.
In extra innings, Fort Wayne jumped on righty Evy Ruibal (L, 1-1) and scored three runs on two errors, two sacrifices, a base hit, hit-by-pitch, and a walk. 
With the Loons then trailing 4-1 going to the bottom of the 10th inning, right-hander Evan Miller (W, 1-1) finished the job for Fort Wayne and secured a fifth straight victory for the TinCaps.
Both Great Lakes (20-25, 56-58) and Fort Wayne (30-15, 56-59) head into a league-wide off-day on Wednesday. The Loons are back in action on Thursday against the West Michigan Whitecaps on the road. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. EDT with radio pregame coverage on ESPN 100.9-FM getting underway to 6:35.
The Great Lakes Loons are the 2016 Midwest League Champions and have been a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2007. Dow Diamond, home of the Loons, also houses ESPN 100.9-FM and the Michigan Baseball Foundation. For tickets and more information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.