Longballs Do In Loons

Loons Offense Musters Just Four Hits, One Run

COMSTOCK PARK, MI – West Michigan Whitecaps sluggers Lance Durham and Jeff McVaney connected on home runs to place Raydel Sanchez in the Great Lakes Loons’ record book and hand the team its fourth consecutive loss Saturday night, a 4-1 decision in front of a rowdy crowd of 7,808 at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Lance Durham crushed a solo home run in the second inning to give the Whitecaps a 1-0 edge.

Later in the sixth, Jeff McVaney connected on a deep three-run shot to left field to put the home boys ahead 4-0.

Both home runs were hit off Sanchez, the Loons starter, who picked up the loss. Aside from the homers, Sanchez pitched well over 6 1/3 innings, allowing six hits, two walks and striking out three. The two homers allowed gives Sanchez 14 home runs surrendered in 2012, establishing a new single-season record for homers allowed, surpassing Matt Magill’s 13 home runs allowed in 2010.

The Loons put together a two-out rally in the eighth. With two outs, James Baldwin doubled to left. After a walk to Jesus Arredondo, Darnell Sweeney singled home Baldwin for the Loons’ lone run. In the ninth, West Michigan reliever Slade Smith walked the first two batters of the inning, before coming out of the game. Reliever Will Clinert committed a one-out error on a comebacker by Michael Pericht to load the bases. But Clinert struck out Jeff Hunt and Baldwin to end the game.

West Michigan starter Jeff Ferrell (6-4) twirled a stellar ballgame. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Pericht singled to left. He allowed just two hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings.

Clinert recorded the save, his second of the year.

The Loons (23-31 second half, 57-67 overall) and Whitecaps (27-27, 63-61) play the second game of a four-game series Sunday afternoon at 1pm. Right-handed pitcher Gustavo Gomez (6-8, 5.70 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Loons against West Michigan righty Wilsen Palacios (11-8, 3.56). The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 100.9-FM and ESPN1009.com.