Swing edge Loons 4-3

The Great Lakes Loons were unable to get a big hit when they needed it the most Thursday night as they fell to the Swing of the Quad Cities by a score of 4-3.

After an RBI-double and run-scoring single from Adolfo Gonzalez and Matt Berezay gave the Loons a 2-0 lead, Swing shortstop Christian Lopez got Quad Cities on the board in the second by connecting for his third home run of the season off Loons’ starter Clayton Kershaw. Lopez’s homer highlighted a four-run second inning that gave Quad Cities a 4-2 advantage.

The game would remain 4-2 until the ninth inning when Loons’ designated hitter Josh Bell led off the frame with a solo home run to bring the Loons to within one. But the Loons were unable to capitalize on a Carlos Santana two-out walk later in the inning and eventually fell for the fifth time in their last six games.

Kershaw suffered his fourth loss of the season, allowing four runs in six innings. The highly touted left-hander has not picked up a victory since June 13 against Lansing.

The series continues Friday night when right-hander Josh Wall will get the start for Great Lakes against right-hander Shawn Garceau. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

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