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Patterson Red Hot in Loons Loss

Tosses 10 strikeouts and no walks in nine scoreless innings
May 31, 2011

MIDLAND, MI - After a one-hour and 36-minute rain delay prior to first pitch, the Loons were unable to come away on top, losing 1-0 to the Burlington Bees Tuesday night despite a nine-inning two-hit pitching performance by starter Red Patterson.

The game's only run came through in the top of the tenth inning as Burlington's Josh Whitaker and Douglas Landaeta hit back-to-back singles before Yordy Cabrera grounded the ball to Loons shortstop Christian Lara, who flipped it to second for the first out. Then, trying to turn two to end the inning, Casio Grider chucked the ball towards first and past Chris Jacobs to allow the winning run in on the throwing error.

Though the Loons were unable to come away with the win, falling to 27-25 on the season, starting right-hander Red Patterson dominated Burlington over nine innings for a career night.

"I had everything working," Patterson said. "I was in the zone with all my pitches; I was focused; my pitch selection was there; Michael [Pericht] was calling a great game behind the plate; and you know it was just one of those nights."

Patterson used 101 pitches to toss a career-high ten strikeouts, while walking none. He held a one-hitter through eight innings, and becomes only the second Loon in team history to throw for nine innings in a single game. The other was Josh Wall in 2010, who got the complete game victory over Lansing. Patterson's ERA improved from 3.35, before the game, to 2.87.

"It would have been better if we had got the win," Patterson admitted. "But I'd have to say it's probably one of the best games that I've pitched in my professional career and I've just got to build on it. Make it two, and three and four more and just keep going."

The Loons had their chances in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn't push a run through. Joc Pederson led-off the inning with a single, stole second, and moved into third on a wild pitch. The wild pitch happened on a strikeout, allowing Loons batter Jon Garcia to reach first and giving the Loons an extra out in the inning, but Jesse Bosnik hit a lineout to center that sent the game into extras.

In the bottom of the tenth, down one, Grider and Leon Landry each hit to get on base and an intentional walk to Lara loaded the bases. However, Pederson grounded the ball to second base for the 4-6-3 double-play to end the game.

Reliever Logan Bawcom was charged with his first loss, allowing one run on two hits in one inning of work.

The Loons continue their three-game series against the Bees on Wednesday, which is one of Chemical Bank's $1 Family Feast Nights where fans can purchase hot dogs, 16 oz. Coke products and ice cream sandwiches all for a dollar a piece. Throwing for the Loons will be RHP Gustavo Gomez (0-2, 12.10), while RHP Jonathan Joseph (0-1, 6.97) will take the mound for Burlington.

The Great Lakes Loons are a fifth-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and members of the Midwest League. For more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com or call 989-837-BALL.