Loons improve to 6-5 in the second half of the MWL season with a 2-1 win over the Lansing Lugnuts:

The Great Lakes Loons improved to 6-5 for the second half of the MWL season (40-41 overall) with a 2-1 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto Blue Jays) in front of 1,957 Loons faithful Monday night at Dow Diamond.

A two-out rally in the bottom of the third inning plated the only two Loons runs needed for victory Monday evening. Great Lakes shortstop, Dillon Moyer singled with two outs, and moved to second base on a throwing error by Lansing starter, Frank Viola III following a botched pickoff attempt. Viola then walked Loons DH, Josmar Cordero and third baseman, Paul Hoenecke to load the bases. Loons first baseman, Webster Rivas promptly ripped a 2-RBI single to left field, scoring Moyer and Cordero.

Great Lakes Starter, RHP Jonathan Martinez (7-5, 3.20 ERA) continued his strong season pitching-to-contact; much to the delight of Loons skipper, Bill Haselman.  "At this level, you always want guys to throw strikes, and that's one thing (Jonathan) Martinez doesn't have a problem with," said Haselman. "He almost throws too many strikes in pitch-counts where he's way ahead of the batter; I mean he's so good at it.  So, it's actually nice to see; it's a good problem to have. He's been good for us all year, and he's been very consistant, and like I said, he throws strikes and doesn't walk many batters."

Martinez gave up 8-hits and only 1-run through 6-innings of work; while striking out 6-Lugnuts batters on his way to his seventh victory of the season. Loons reliever, Mark Pope earned his second "hold" of the season, keeping his ERA at a miniscule 0.60 in his MWL all star season. Pope gave up just 2-hits and struck out 1-batter in his two innings of work. Loons reliever, RHP Matt Campbell -who just joined the team on Jun, 20 after his selection by the Dodgers in the ninth round of the 2014 MLB draft, and just a few weeks after finishing his fourth year of NCAA baseball at Clemson University- earned his first "save" as a professional, after retiring three straight batters to secure the Loons win in the ninth inning.

"Actually, I didn't even know it was the ninth inning," said Campbell. "I honestly thought it was the eighth when they called for me." Campbell, an Alpharetta, Ga native (just outside of Atlanta) is still trying to settle in and figure his role in the Loons bullpen. "They just give me the ball and I go in and throw; I don't exactly have a role right now," explained Campbell. "I was told when I got here, I would be a late-inning bullpen guy; not specifically the seventh, eighth, or ninth, but just a late-inning bullpen spot. So, i'm just taking every opportunity i've got and i'm going out there to show what I can do." 

The Loons begin a 3-game home series with the South Bend Silverhawks Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week at Dow Diamond. All games are set to start at 7:05 pm.