Nastrini Tosses Six Scoreless in Loons Three-Hit Shutout Victory

MIDLAND, Mich. – Coming into Thursday’s game at Dow Diamond, the Great Lakes Loons had won nine of the last 10 starts by Nick Nastrini. But in the last three, Nastrini had allowed multiple earned runs in each start.

That ended Thursday.

Nastrini pitched six scoreless innings, leading the Loons to a 2-0 victory over the Peoria Chiefs.

The Loons (62-43, 22-17 second half) opened the scoring in the first inning. Jorbit Vivas was hit by a pitch to lead off the Loons’ order, then Jose Ramos singled to put two men aboard with no outs. A double play moved Vivas to third for Eddys Leonard, who singled to put Great Lakes ahead, 1-0.

Great Lakes, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ High-A partner, would not need another run, as it turns out. Nastrini (W, 5-3) was perfect through the first eight batters, walking a batter with two outs in the third inning to end that run. Peoria (46-59, 18-21) broke up the no-hitter with a single in the fifth inning. Nastrini had perhaps his best start of his professional career, spinning six scoreless innings of two-hit baseball, allowing a pair of walks and striking out nine.

For the Chiefs, High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, Zane Mills (L, 2-6) had a great start, but took a tough-luck loss. The right-hander allowed seven hits, none for extra bases, and did not walk a batter. He allowed one earned run and struck out five batters.

The Loons loaded the bases in the seventh inning with singles from Kekai Rios and Luis Yanel Diaz and a walk from Max Hewitt. Vivas hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the second run of the game, and the 2-0 score would hold until the end of the game.

Cole Duensing pitched the seventh and the eighth innings, and allowed just one hit, a two-out seventh-inning single. Duensing struck out three. Jacob Cantleberry (SV, 2) pitched a perfect ninth, which began with a hot shot back to the mound that he somehow snagged for the out.

At the plate, the Loons had nine hits from seven different batters, but all were singles. There was not an extra-base hit in the game. Vivas was a perfect 2-for-2 with a hit by pitch, a run, an RBI and a sacrifice fly. Leonard was the other Loon with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with the first-inning RBI.

The Loons take a lead in the series against Peoria, two games to one, as the six-game set moves to its weekend half Friday night at Dow Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with ESPN 100.9-FM coverage beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Loons On-Deck Circle, driven by Garber Chevrolet Midland. Carlos Duran (0-2, 3.86 ERA) gets the start for Great Lakes, opposing fellow right-handed pitcher Austin Love (6-10, 5.92 ERA) for the Chiefs.

At Dow Diamond, it’s another giveaway night – the first 1,000 fans through the gates get a Lou E. Loon Bobblebelly, presented by MyMichigan Health. It’s also a Feast Friday, thanks to Isabella Bank, with deep discounts on myriad concession items. After the contest, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan helps the Loons light up the night with a Fireworks Loontacular. Tickets are still available at Loons.com.

The Great Lakes Loons have been a 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.