Loons get out of jams to pick up win

Loons’ pitchers got themselves in trouble time and time again Tuesday night, but got the job done in the clutch as Great Lakes defeated the Kane County Cougars 1-0 in front of 2,156 fans at Dow Diamond.

The Loons picked up their only run of the ballgame when Pedro Baez reached on a Christian Vitters throwing error and made it to second before Jovanny Rosario dropped a bunt down the third base line that was thrown away by Vitters and allowed Baez to score making it 1-0.

Kane County left 14 men on base during the ballgame, including leaving the bases loaded in the fifth, sixth, and ninth innings. The Loons turned an unusual third-to-home double play to end the ballgame as Baez fielded a Michael Lissman ground ball, tagged third for the first out and threw home to retire Michael Richard.

Kyle Smit started for the Loons and left after 84 pitches through 4 1/3 innings. Bobby Blevins (2-1) picked up the victory in the ballgame thanks to getting out of two bases loaded jams during his 3 2/3 innings. Miguel Ramirez pitched a scoreless ninth picking up his sixth save of the season.

Travis Banwart (2-1) started for Kane County and went seven innings allowing one unearned run on eight hits in picking up the tough-luck loss.

The Loons improve to 10-8 while the Cougars fall to 15-3.

The three-game series between the Loons and Cougars concludes Wednesday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Dow Diamond. Steven Johnson is scheduled to start for Great Lakes. The Loons are celebrating College Night at the ballpark, so come dressed in your favorite school’s apparel.