Special Night Ends in Victory

MIDLAND, Mich. - On a night when the Michigan Baseball Foundation announced plans for a $3 million renovation of Dow Diamond to install new Daktronics video displays at the conclusion of the 2017 season, this year's Great Lakes Loons team rebounded from a series-opening loss to the Lansing Lugnuts with a 7-2 win on Wednesday.
Power was on display for the Loons offense as they clobbered six extra-base hits and got to Lansing starter Dalton Rodriguez (L, 0-1), who was making his Midwest League debut, early. Jared Walker went 3-for-4 with a home run, his tenth of the season, while Nick Yarnall went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run of his own. Tyler Adkison and Stevie Berman also had two hits apiece.
Rodriguez was charged with allowing six runs, three in the 1st inning, on eight hits. On the flip side, Riley Ottesen was economical with his pitch count in his start for the Loons (28-31, 64-64) tossing four shutout innings allowing just three hits and recording eight strikeouts. He also did not issue a walk. Andre Scrubb (W, 6-2) picked up the victory bridging the gap to Jeremiah Muhammad who was perfect through the final 2.1 innings out of the bullpen.
The Loons got three runs in their first at-bats of the night and didn't look back from there, eventually building a 7-0 advantage before the Lugnuts (22-37, 59-66) got their two runs on the board in the 7th. Saige Jenco walked to begin the game, stole second base and the carousel was in motion. Gavin Lux singled and stole second, as well, before Adkison doubled him in. Walker then singled to complete the big frame.
It was in the 4th that Walker launched his second home run in as many days, this one traveling 407 feet out to center field. Berman doubled in Yarnall to make it 5-0. But the Loons continued to pile on with another run in both the 5th and 6th innings.
With each team winning a game in the series, their final meeting of the regular season will be Thursday night when the Loons will send Melvin Jimenez (2-1, 1.80 ERA) to the hill against Saginaw Valley State product Mike Ellenbest (7-6, 6.29). It will be a $1 Family Feast Night presented by Chemical Bank accompanied by the always-entertaining Zooperstars. Gates open at 6 p.m.
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.