Early Runs Disrupt Loons

MIDLAND, Mich. - For the first time in eight games, the Great Lakes Loons ended up on the losing side falling 6-0 to the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Wednesday at Dow Diamond.
A stellar first inning for the Hot Rods (31-21) was initiated by Carl Chester with a triple to the center field wall driving in Taylor Walls for a 1-0 lead. Bowling Green continued to nip at Loons starter Andre Jackson, dropping in three more runs off a Trey Hair RBI single and Zach Rutherford's sixth homer of the season.
With the loss, Great Lakes remains on the outside of a Midwest League playoff position. There are 18 games remaining in the regular season. The Hot Rods clinched postseason berth in the first half of the season, but are also currently in first place of the MWL Eastern Division. 
Justin Bridgman pushed Bowling Green ahead 5-0 on a single to score Jake Stone in the top of the fourth. The run was enough to chase Jackson from the game.
Starting for the Loons (24-28), Jackson faced trouble a few times throughout his third appearance since being called back up to Great Lakes on Aug. 4. He went 3.2 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk. The 22-year-old struck out three.
Relieving Jackson (L, 1-4) was Austin Drury, who threw 2.1 innings of one-hit baseball before then handing the ball to fellow-reliever Mark Washington.
Washington issued the final run of the game in the seventh on a Devin Davis sacrifice fly to make the game 6-0 in favor of Bowling Green. 
Unlike Jackson's troublesome start, Hot Rods starter Resly Linares was absolutely dominant. The 20-year-old struck out seven hitters in 7.0 innings of work, allowing just two hits. In his last 12.0 innings pitched, Linares (W, 6-3) has not allowed a run. In five of his last six outings, he has given up one run or less. 
Right-hander Kyle Goodbrand threw the bottom of the eighth and ninth without giving up any runs, securing a 6-0 road victory at Dow Diamond. 
The only Loons to find the base paths were Josh McLain, Jacob Amaya and Luke Heyer. Great Lakes has managed to make comeback victories on multiple occasions in previous games but were unable on Wednesday night. 
Bowling Green's 3-4-5-6 hitters in the lineup combined to go 6-for-17 with five RBI, one walk and four runs scored. 
The Loons and Hot Rods return to Dow Diamond for Thursday's game. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The Great Lakes Loons have been the Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team's home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and ESPN 100.9-FM. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.