COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Kyle Russell’s RBI single in the top of the eleventh inning turned out to be the game-winning hit as the Great Lakes Loons edged the West Michigan Whitecaps, 5-4, on Saturday night at Fifth Third Ballpark. The win snaps the three game losing streak for the Loons.

Game three of the series was a game of missed opportunities for both teams. Great Lakes stranded 12 base runners and the Whitecaps left 14 men on base. ‘Caps starter Luke Putkonen was solid, if not spectacular. Putkonen threw 5.1 innings, allowing 8 hits, 2 earned runs with no walks and 6 strikeouts.

The Whitecaps used an error and two sacrifice flies as part of their scoring attack. Gustavo Nunez tied the game 2-2 in the fourth with a sac fly, and Bryan Pounds tied the game in the seventh, 3-3, with a sacrifice.

Great Lakes received a big, two-run double from Jaime Pedroza in the third inning to take their first lead of the game. Nick Buss’ sacrifice fly in the sixth gave the Loons a 3-2 lead. The game would remain 3-3 from the seventh inning until the eleventh.

Great Lakes’ Matt Wallach led off with a walk against ‘Caps closer Tyler Stohr and was sacrificed to second by Dee Gordon. Jaime Pedroza walked and Tony Delmonico followed with a double to plate Wallach, but Pedroza was thrown out at home.

The Loons led 4-3 and made it 5-3 on Russell’s single to right. In the eleventh, the Whitecaps started with Gustavo Nunez drawing a walk. After two groundouts, Billy Nowlin singled to center to score Nunez and make the score, 5-4. Jordan Lennerton followed with a walk, but Bryan Pounds ended the game with a ground ball to short.

Tyler Stohr takes the loss. He’s now 2-2. Cole St. Clair gets the win for the Loons. His record is 2-0. Brandon Douglas and Billy Nowlin each had two hits for the Whitecaps.

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