Loons pick up series sweep

The Great Lakes Loons completed a four-game, three-day sweep of the Dayton Dragons with a 4-3 victory at Fifth Third Field. It is the Loons’ first series sweep of the season and gives them a season-high four-game winning streak.

With the game tied 2-2 in the top of the seventh inning and runners at first and third, Erik Kanaby lined a pitch into left-center field for a sacrifice fly to score Justin Fuller to give the Loons a 3-2 lead.

The Loons and Dragons exchanged solo homers in the eighth. Andrew Lambo hit his sixth of the season in the top of the inning. Justin Reed responded with a solo homer in the bottom half to pull the Dragons to within one run.

But Miguel Ramirez entered the game with two outs in the eighth and did not allow a run to record his Midwest League-leading ninth save. Ramirez still has not allowed an earned run in 18 1/3 innings.

The Loons improve their record to 21-21 and move into a tie with Lansing for third place in the Midwest League East, 1.5 games behind West Michigan and a half game behind Dayton.

The Dragons (21-20) have now lost six in a row.

Matt Sartor (3-2) survived two solo home runs to record the win. Bryan Morris failed to win his first game of the season, lasting just four innings but striking out seven and allowing one run (earned).

Preston Mattingly drove in the Loons’ first run in the fourth and later scored on a balk by Dayton starter Enerio Del Rosario.

After taking the opening game of the series 5-3 Friday night, the Loons swept a double header on Saturday taking the opener 11-3 before a 7-0 romp in the nightcap.

The Loons return to Dow Diamond Monday to begin a four-game series against the Fort Wayne Wizards. Monday is Game Show Night. Also after the ballgame, the first preliminary round of the Hometown Hitter competition will be held. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday’s games begin at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday’s game features a special 10:35 a.m. starting time.