Lambo’s blast propels Loons to victory

Andrew Lambo clubbed a three-run home run with two outs in the top of the eighth inning to erase a two-run deficit and lead the Great Lakes Loons to a 5-4 victory over the Kane County Cougars Wednesday night.

Lambo’s blast came against Cougars reliever Nick Walters with a full count.

The Cougars struck for three runs in the fourth inning against Justin Miller in his first relief appearance of the year.

Great Lakes (10-16 second half, 40-55 overall) pulled to within one run in the fifth on a two-run home run by Brandon Taylor, his third of the year. All three of his homers this year have come on the road.

Kane County tacked on an additional run in the fifth against Miller on a base hit by Greg Dowling to give the home team a 4-2 advantage, a lead they would hold until Lambo’s blast in the eighth.

Miguel Sanfler (2-3) pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief for the victory. Miguel Ramirez retired the first two Cougar batters in the ninth with ease, but loaded the bases with two outs before recording the game’s final out and moving into a tie for the Midwest League lead in saves with 16.

Josh Lindblom, the Dodgers’ second round draft choice in 2008 from Purdue, started and pitched two innings in his professional debut without allowing a run. Miller entered in relief and allowed four runs in three innings, walking three.

Dowling recorded four hits for the Cougars. Kane County stranded 13 runners on base.

Alfredo Silverio and Eduardo Perez recorded multi-hit games for the Loons.

The Loons and Cougars continue their three-game series Thursday night from Phillip Elfstrom Stadium. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Left-hander Victor Garate (5-3, 2.06) is scheduled to start for the Loons against lefty Lance Sewell (2-1, 2.83).