Loons crushed by Silver Hawks

The South Bend Silver Hawks sent 12 men to the plate in a seven-run fifth inning en route to a 12-2 victory over the Great Lakes Loons at Dow Diamond in front of 5,433 fans to drop their third game of the series.

After falling behind early, the Loons got their only runs when Alfredo Silverio launched a two-run homer to left field to draw the Loons within a run and make it a 3-2 ballgame.

The play was initially ruled a double, but after umpires Ben Karis and Tom Honec conversed and the call was changed to a home run. The reversal prompted an argument from Silver Hawks’ manager Mark Haley resulting in his ejection.

Ollie Linton led South Bend with four hits, the second time he accomplished such a feat in the four-game series.

Loons’ starter Justin Miller picked up the loss to fall to 4-11 after pitching 3 2/3 innings allowing three runs on six hits. Miguel Sanfler struggled for the second consecutive day, allowing all seven fifth-inning runs on four hits and three walks in relief.

Cristian Beltre pitched five solid innings allowing only two runs on Silverio’s home run to pick up the victory to improve to 12-8 on the year.

The Loons will travel to Grand Rapids to take on the playoff-bound West Michigan Whitecaps, beginning with a four-game series from Fifth Third Ballpark. Game time for Monday’s matchup is 7 p.m.