Loons swat Bees to end skid

The Great Lakes Loons stopped a three game losing streak and they stopped the Bees Sunday afternoon when Daigoro Rondon, Miguel Sanfler and Miguel Ramirez combined for a four-hit shutout and Jovanny Rosario drove in the game’s only run with a triple down the right field line as the Loons blanked Burlington 1-0 at Community Field.

“Our pitching was outstanding today,” said Loons’ manager Juan Bustabad. “Rondon pitched six quality innings, Sanfler did his job and Ramirez closed it out. We played excellent defense and got excellent pitching.”

Rondon started for the Loons and became the second straight Loons starter to face one batter over the minimum (Steven Johnson did the same Saturday in five innings). Rondon pitched six innings and allowed just two hits and one walk, striking out five. Both batters who recorded hits were erased on ground ball double plays to shortstop Joe Becker.

Sanfler pitched a scoreless seventh then walked the first batter of the eighth. Ramirez relieved Sanfler and recorded the final six outs. The Bees put two runners on base in the ninth, but Ramirez fanned Clint Robinson for the final out of the game.

The Loons scored their lone run in the third inning with two outs and no one on base. Becker singled to left and Rosario followed with a triple down the right field line, scoring Becker from first.

Rosario now has hits in all 10 games played this season.

“Rosario’s the guy who starts things at the top of our order,” Bustabad said. “He’s been getting on base and that’s what we want from the leadoff spot.”

The win snaps a three-game losing streak for the Loons.

After dropping a 9-0 contest to the West Michigan Whitecaps Wednesday, the Loons fell to the Bees 6-2 Friday when frigid temperatures froze cooled them down at the plate. Kyle Smit allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings. Great Lakes’ only runs were driven in by Andrew Lambo who was ejected in the eighth inning for arguing strikes. The Loons carried a 2-2 tie into the ninth inning against Burlington on Saturday, but a walk-off RBI by Wilson Tucker gave Burlington the 3-2 win.

On Monday, the Loons (5-5) begin a three-game series in Cedar Rapids. Justin Miller (0-0, 0.90 ERA) will get the start for the Loons. Game time is 7:30 p.m.