Pitching Rules the Day

MIDLAND, Mich. - After 20 runs had been scored between the Great Lakes Loons and Dayton Dragons through the first two games of a four-game series, pitchers moved the center stage as the visitors shut out the Loons 2-0 on Sunday afternoon in front of a crowd of 4,322. Over the last four games 20,547 fans have come through the Dow Diamond gates dating back to Thursday.
The trio of Tony Santillan (W, 9-7), Dauri Moreta (H, 3) and Jesse Adams (SV, 5) made light work of the Loons offense as they combined for a scoreless outing allowing just six baserunners all afternoon. Santillan went six innings allowing three hits with five strikeouts. Jose Siri was also a menace on the base paths stealing three bases while going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Cristian Santana went 2-for-4 and had the only extra-base hit for the Loons, a double off Santillan in the 4th. Jeren Kendall, Gavin Lux and Stevie Berman were the others to have a base hit in the game.
Despite laboring through the 1st inning in which he pitched his way out of a bases loaded-jam, Alfredo Tavarez (L, 0-2) worked his way through five innings allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits. Both Evy Ruibal and Colby Nealy tossed two innings of scoreless relief down the stretch to keep the Loons within striking distance all afternoon.
Tied for the longest homestand of the season, it comes to an end on Monday night as Riley Otteson (0-1, 3.12 ERA) will get the call for Loons against Andrew Jordan (6-8, 4.74). Following the conclusion of the game, adults will have the chance to run the bases just as the kids do after Sunday games.
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.