Loons Fall Before Fireworks

MIDLAND, Mich. - Underneath what would have otherwise been a pitch-black summer sky hovering above Dow Diamond sat members of the Great Lakes Loons and their fans, watching fireworks illuminate the night air in a tranquil display of patriotic celebration and fan-to-player commonality. 

Following a highly-entertaining and well-attended game, the club and their group of supporters -nearly 6,000 strong on the eve of America's birthday- collectively relaxed and basked in the local version of the atmosphere America's pastime provided to open its proudest holiday weekend. 

Somehow it didn't matter that the Loons had lost to the West Michigan Whitecaps 6-1 on Friday night. The moment the players and fans alike shared was too enjoyable to be depressed. 

"From day one, these fans have been great," said Loons infielder Kelvin Ramos. "No matter what day or holiday it is we want to come out here and play hard and give these people a good game to watch." 

Before the postgame commemoration, a four-run 3rd inning put West Michigan (39-39) at an advantage early and the Loons struggled to steal any momentum back from the visitors for the rest of the game. 

Whitecaps leadoff man Rashad Brown started the difference-making rally with a skittering single off the outstretched glove of Loons first baseman Justin Chigbogu. Brown was moved into scoring position on a ground ball and then scored on an RBI single to right field by Michael Gerber, which made it 1-0 Whitecaps. 

Back-to-back two-out RBI base hits by shortstop David Gonzalez and designated hitter Zach Sheperd pushed West Michigan's lead to 3-0. Great Lakes starting pitcher Grant Holmes (4-1) surrendered one more run in the inning walking a batter with the bases loaded to push the deficit to 4-0. Holmes took the loss. 

The Loons (41-36) got their base hit of the game during the bottom of the 3rd inning when second baseman Ramos hit a line drive into right field to break up West Michigan starter AJ Ladwig's no hitter. 

Ladwig (7-6) was highly effective surrendering just six hits and walking none while striking out four batters during six innings of work. He earned the win.

Great Lakes showed some life offensively during the bottom of the 6th inning, but left two men on base during the frame. 

Right fielder Alex Santana and Ramos started things off with consecutive base hits. Santana tagged up from third base and scored on centerfielder Alex Verdugo's sacrifice RBI fly out to put Great Lakes on the board and trim the

Whitecaps lead to 4-1. Ladwig induced a fly ball from Kyle Garlick to end the inning. 
The Whitecaps threatened to jump out to an early lead when they loaded the bases during the top of the 2nd inning.

Second baseman Joey Pankake slapped a double off the centerfield wall to lead off the inning before Holmes surrendered two consecutive walks. 

But Holmes responded, striking out the next two batters to end the inning and neutralize West Michigan's first legitimate scoring chance. 

The Whitecaps added a final two insurance runs during the top of the 9th inning to seal the victory.  

The Loons head to West Michigan on Saturday for the third and fourth games of the home-and-home series. Great Lakes starter Derrick Sylvester is expected to start for the visitors. Slyvester is 1-2 this season with a 5.63 earned run average. During Slyvester's last start on June 29, he struck out three batters and walked just two. 

The team returns to Dow Diamond on Wednesday, July 8 to open another four-game home-and-home series, this time against the Lansing Lugnuts. 

The Great Lakes Loons are a ninth-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.