Dayton Steals Split on Monday

MIDLAND, Mich. - The Loons had a chance to take the four-game series over the Dayton Dragons at Dow Diamond Monday night. During their first three games, the Great Lakes Loons picked up two victories but could not finish the job in the closer and fell 4-0 to Dayton for a series split. 

The Dragons opened the scoring in the 1st inning with two runs on three hits. Lefty Shed Long and Nick Senzel crossed home plate when teammate James Vasquez doubled on a fly ball to left fielder Dian Toscano. This put the Dragons up 2-0 to start the game. 

Dayton then tacked on their third run on a solo home run by Reydel Medina in the 2nd. This would be Medina's fourth home run of the season and Loons starter Nolan Long's fifth allowed in 2016.

Neither team scored runs until the 6th when Senzel crossed home for his second run of the game. The righty doubled on a fly ball to Loons centerfielder Logan Landon. Vasquez then doubled as well to bring Senzel home to put the Dragons up 4-0.

The Loons were in scoring position five times throughout the game. Logan Landon and Luke Raley were the only two players to threaten a run against the visitors. In the bottom of the 2nd, Crisitian Gomez grounded out and moved Raley to third. But that would be all for Great Lakes as Landon was called out on strikes. 

The second time the Loons came close was in the bottom of the 8th when Landon singled. He passed second and pushed for third on a line drive by Noah Perio, but was thrown out by center fielder Mitch Piatnik. Omar Estevez made his mark on the night going 2-for-4 and extending his hitting streak to nine games. It's the longest hitting streak of the season for any individual on the Great Lakes roster.

Loons starter Nolan Long (L, 4-8) pitched six innings on the mound and recorded a career high in strikeouts, setting down nine batters. The right-hander gave up four runs on six hits, a walk and a home run. Relief pitcher Gavin Pittore came in and pitched three scoreless innings and struck out three batters. 

Jose Lopez (W, 6-7) put in six innings of work for the Dragons, striking out seven and walking three. Jesus Reyes then came in for the 7th and 8th where he allowed two hits and one walk. Sarkis Ohanian closed out the win for the Dragons in the 9th. 

Great Lakes will be off tomorrow and will hit the road for a 7:30 p.m. game against the Burlington Bees on Wednesday. Following their three-game series in Burlington, the Loons will visit Peoria for three games against the Chiefs.
 
The Great Lakes Loons, hosts of the 2017 Midwest League All-Star Game, have been a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007 and are in their 10th season. For tickets and more information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.

The Great Lakes Loons, hosts of the 2017 Midwest League All-Star Game, have been a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007 and are in their 10th season. For tickets and more information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.