Loons strand 16 base runners, now face elimination following 6-0 loss to West Michigan in 2018 MWL playoff opener

 

The Great Lakes Loons  (0-1) have suddenly found itself in a must-win situation following a 6-0 loss to the West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers) in the 2018 Midwest League Eastern Division (best of three) opening game at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, MI near Grand Rapids Wednesday night.

 

The Loons must now win both home games; tonight and Friday night at Dow Diamond, in order to advance in the MWL post season. 

 

West Michigan put up 6-runs (4 of which were earned) on Loons starter Gerardo Carillo (0-1, 6.75 ERA) who was charged with his first post season loss after giving up 4-earned runs on 7-hits and 3-walks, while striking out 3-batters through 5 1/3 innings, as the Whitecaps jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the first, before adding 2-runs in the fourth and another 3-runs in the sixth.

 

Hits were not a problem for Great Lakes, who had 8-total team hits from 6 of its nine batters; led by RF Romer Cuadrado, who finished 3 for 4 from the dish, however, the Loons could not manage to get runners across home plate, stranding an unprecedented 16-base runners.

 

Despite the lack of runs, the Great Lakes bullpen was a bright spot, as lefty reliever Devin Hemmerich replaced Carillo, allowing just 1-walk, with 2-strikeouts through 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, followed by closer Melvin Jimenez, who walked just 1-batter, and struck out 1-batter in 1-scoreless inning of relief for the Loons.

 

The Loons now return to home field advantage, hosting the Whitecaps for game-2 (of this best of three series) at 7:05 pm at Dow Diamond tonight, with the hopes of forcing a deciding game-3 at Dow Diamond tomorrow night.