Five-run eighth helps Loons edge Wizards

A controversial play in the eighth inning Sunday helped the Great Lakes Loons beat the Fort Wayne Wizards 8-5 in the finale of a four-game series at Dow Diamond.

Over 5,000 Loons’ fans saw Great Lakes build a relatively quiet 3-1 lead heading into the eighth inning. But when the Loons called upon reliever Miguel Sanfler, things changed quickly. Sanfler allowed three runs in the inning, including a go-ahead two-run homer off the bat of Jodam Rivera to give Fort Wayne a 4-3 lead.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Loons would come back to take the lead. With Josh Bell on second after a double, catcher Carlos Santana laid down a bunt, and the Wizards tried to throw Bell out at third base. Bell was called safe by umpire Alex Ortiz, though it appeared as though Bell over-slid the bag. Wizards’ manager Doug Dascenzo came running out of the dugout to argue and was subsequently ejected.

Dascenzo’s ejection was followed by an RBI single off the bat of Scott Van Slyke to tie the game at four. Outfielder Matt Berezay then slugged a clutch two-run double to give the Loons the 6-4 advantage. Eduardo Perez followed with a two-run double of his own to give the Loons an 8-4 lead.

Arismendy Castillo started for the Loons and pitched six innings, allowing only three hits and a run while walking four and striking out two. Sanfler picked up the victory in relief.

Stephen Faris started for the Wizards and went five innings allowing six hits and two runs before giving way to Matt Handley who pitched well in relief. Grant Varnell gave up all five of the Loons eighth-inning runs and got the loss to drop his record to 0-2.

The Loons’ record improves to 28-34 with the win, while the Wizards fall to 26-34.

The Loons will travel to West Michigan for a two day, three-game series with the Whitecaps beginning with a doubleheader Monday. Game one is set for 6 P.M.

A box score of Sunday’s game is available at milb.com.

Hunt Promoted

Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced the promotion of outfielder Bridger Hunt to the Inland Empire 66ers (High-A, California League) of San Bernadino, CA.

Hunt was hitting .300 with a home run, 19 RBIs, six stolen bases, and a .357 on-base percentage. The versatile Hunt played all three outfield positions and batted in seven different spots in the Loons’ batting order.

He is the third player in Loons’ history promoted by the Dodgers, joining former Loons Francisco Felix and Jesus Rodriguez on the 66ers’ roster.

The Dodgers also announced that outfielder Thomas Giles has been added to the Loons’ roster to replace Hunt.

Giles hit .291 last season for then-Ogden manager Lance Parrish with five home runs and 23 RBIs.