Loons fall to Lugs

MIDLAND, Mich. - The Great Lakes Loons found themselves adding to the loss column on Friday for the second night in a row. The Lansing Lugnuts prevailed 3-1 at Dow Diamond.
Lansing's Maverik Buffo (W, 9-2) was stellar tossing 7.0 scoreless innings. He allowed six hits and one walk while striking out six hitters. He was replaced by Dalton Rodriguez, who pitched clean eighth inning. 
The Lugnuts (8-1) found the scoreboard against Loons starter Leo Crawford (L, 0-5) in the top of the fifth inning. Samad Taylor reached base on a force attempt and then a throwing error by Crawford allowed Freddy Crawford to score for a 1-0 lead. 
Moments later, Kenny Vicuna's RBI single drove in Jesus Navarro and Brandon Grudzielanek's sacrifice fly brought home Owen Spiwak, handing Lansing a three-run edge. 
Crawford went 5.0 innings for the Loons. He gave up three runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk. The left-hander stuck out two hitters. Great Lakes sent Connor Strain and Sven Schueller to the bump for the final 4.0 innings of the game. The duo did not allow a run and only let four runners reach base, all courtesy of Strain. 
The Loons (0-9) earned seven hits on Friday, which was just as many as the Lugnuts. However, the inability to score and defensive errors cost them the game. Great Lakes' lone multi-hit night came from Moises Perez.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Loons scored their only run on an RBI groundout from Montgomery, driving in Perez from third base. Lansing right-handed reliever Brayden Bouchey continued to work in the ninth, eventually retiring Romer Cuadrado for the final out of the game. 
Vicuna led the way for the Lugnuts with a 2-for-4 night and one RBI. 
The Loons and Lugnuts continue with game three of the four-game series on Saturday at Dow Diamond for Comic-Con Night. Following the conclusion of the contest, there will be Fireworks Loontaculars at the ballpark.
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.