MIDLAND, Mich. – Great Lakes Loons (63-46) (27-18) pitching struck out 11 batters and Emil Morales drove in three runs against the South Bend Cubs (64-45) (25-22) in a 7-4 win on a 79-degree partly cloudy Saturday night at Dow Diamond.
- Each team scored a run through the first three innings, with the Loons gaining two in the second inning. South Bend started the scoring with Angel Cepeda hitting his second home run in as many games, with a solo shot. Great Lakes tied the game benefiting off an error in center field.
- The Loons took the lead in the second inning. With two outs, Gio Cueto muscled his third home run in his past four games played. It was a two-run shot with Victor Rodrigues earning a walk ahead of it.
- The Cubs had a three-hit third inning to tie the game at 3-3. Matt Halbach roped a single to center field. Brooks Auger, the Loons starter allowed three runs in his 2.1 innings.
- Nico Perez’s double once again gave Great Lakes the advantage. Jaron Elkins walked and a Pierce Coppola balk put Elkins in scoring position. Perez roped a 2-2 pitch up the left field line.
- Emil Morales was responsible for the final three Loons runs. He lined an RBI double to right center field in the seventh and pulled an off the plate pitch into left center field for a two-run single in the eighth.
- The Great Lakes bullpen permitted one run over 6.2 innings. Joseilyn Gonzalez tossed 3.2 innings striking out five.
- Davis Chastain earned his sixth save of the season and second of the week. The right-hander stranded two in the ninth finishing the game with a strikeout.
Rounding Things Out
West Michigan was victorious tonight. The Whitecaps and the Loons remain tied for first in the Midwest League East Division second half standings.
Up Next
Tomorrow Sunday, August 16th is Peanuts Day celebrating Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip. Sunday is also Lou E. Loon’s Birthday presented by myMichigan Health. Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases every Sunday presented by Serra Toyota of Saginaw. The first pitch is at 1:05 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.