Martinus Hits Grand Slam & Morales Takes MiLB RBI Lead with Two-Run Homer in 7-2 Loons Win

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Great Lakes Loons (64-50) (28-22) snapped a three-game losing streak with a two home runs from the offense and 11 strikeouts by the pitching in a 7-2 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps (49-66) (22-27) on a 77-degree partly cloudy Thursday night at Parkview Field.

- Emil Morales now has the most RBI in Minor League baseball with 108. The Dodgers No. 4 prospect delivered a two-run home run to the berm beyond the left-center field fence in the top of the first inning. Morales has 73 runs batted in with the Loons in 68 games and added 35 ribbies in 36 games with Low-A Ontario earlier this season.

- Great Lakes starter Will Gagnon earned his first Midwest League win. The right-hander struck out seven over five innings. The only run that came across on his watch was unearned. The Loons defense committed four errors tonight.

- Up 3-1 in the sixth inning, Great Lakes strung together four hits in a row. Emil Morales and Nico Perez hit back-to-back singles. The TinCaps then inserted reliever Will Koger into the game. Eduardo Guerrero greeted him with a first pitch swing and single to right field. Mairo Martinus next-up mashed a 0-1 pitch 393 feet and 110 mph off the bat for the Loons ninth grand slam of 2026.

- Matt Lanzendorfer and Robby Porco combined for the final 12 outs and Fort Wayne left six on base in that span. TinCaps second baseman Bradley Frye in the eighth inning had an RBI double.

- Gio Cueto added the third tally with an RBI single in the second inning hit 104 mph. Cueto was removed after discomfort during an at-bat in the ninth inning. Anson Aroz finished the game behind the plate.

Rounding Things Out

West Michigan won today. The Whitecaps remain with a 2.5 game lead over the Loons in the Midwest League East Division second half standings. Great Lakes has 16 games left this season.

Up Next

The Loons need three wins in a row to take this series and the season series against Fort Wayne. The game tomorrow Friday, August 21st will begin at 7:05 p.m. ET.

The Great Lakes Loons have been 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 Sports Radio 100.9 The Mitt. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.