Wild Comeback Falls One Run Short

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - In the final game of the regular season Monday, the Great Lakes Loons overcame a nine-run deficit to tie the score in the top of the seventh, only to see Fort Wayne capitalize on a sloppy pickoff play in the bottom of the inning to win 11-10.

The Loons finish the second half as the Eastern Division wild card entry with a 40-29 record, 67-72 overall. The Loons begin the Midwest League playoffs Wednesday in the first game of the Eastern Division Semifinals at 7:05 p.m. at Dow Diamond. Playoff tickets are available at Loons.com or by calling 989-837-BALL.

Wednesday's pitching matchup features a pair of first-round selections. Dodgers' 18th overall pick Chris Anderson (3-0, 1.96) from Jacksonville University will draw the playoff opening start for the Loons. He will be opposed by righty Aaron Blair (0-2, 3.57), who made just three starts for the Silver Hawks during the regular season after being selected out of Marshall 36th overall.

In Monday's Labor Day matinee, the Loons committed six errors - including two on one play that brought home the game-winning run - leading to four unearned runs.

Fort Wayne jumped out to a 9-0 lead with a run in the second and eight in the third. The two teams exchanged fifth inning runs to keep the Loons' deficit at nine, 10-1.

But things began changing for the Loons when Matthew Chabot entered in relief. The right-hander allowed five runs in the sixth to pull the Loons to within four runs. He remained on the hill in the seventh and was charged with four more as the Loons were able to tie the score. After Tyler Ogle was robbed of extra bases and just missed a home run on a deep drive to left fielder Luis Domoromo, James Baldwin connected on his seventh home run of the season, a right field shot, to cut the TinCaps' lead to 10-8.

Brandon Trinkwon's double drove in the Loons' ninth run and drove Chabot out of the game. Trevor Gott came in, and Webster Rivas hit a soft ground ball to short to bring in the tying run.

The Loons turned the game over to right-hander Arismendy Ozoria. The TinCaps took the lead when Ozoria attempted to pick Brian Adams off second, but the errant throw went into center field. Adams took third, and then scored when Baldwin's throw back into the infield sailed over Leo Rodriguez's head.

Loons starter Brandon Martinez struggled and was charged with seven hits and seven runs (six earned) in 2 2/3 innings. Ralston Cash, Ozoria and Owen Jones all worked one inning each without an earned run.

For Fort Wayne, Chabot was charged with all six TinCaps earned runs and nine total runs. Trevor Gott (2-2) racked up the win and Ozoria (2-7) was credited with a tough-luck loss. Roman Madrid notched his league-best 22nd save.

Dixon led the Loons' offense with three hits. Only Ogle and Jeremy Rathjen failed to record a hit, but Ogle walked three times and Rathjen was hit by a his 15th pitch of the season to set the Loons' single-season hit-by-pitch record.

Luis Tejada and Rodney Daal had three hits each for the TinCaps.  

The Great Lakes Loons are a seventh-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.