The Great Lakes Loons staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Lansing Lugnuts 10-4 on Friday, with Teoscar Hernández hitting his second home run of the week and Adam Serwinowski delivering a strong pitching performance. River Ryan was placed on the injured list following the game, according to team officials.
Hernández, the Loons’ first baseman, launched a three-run homer in the seventh inning to ignite the team’s six-run rally. The 24-year-old, who has hit 12 home runs this season, has now homered in three straight games, according to MLB.com. “Teoscar’s ability to perform in clutch moments is a key strength for our lineup,” said manager Joe DeMaestri in a team statement. The Loons trailed 4-3 after five innings before scoring six runs in the final two frames.
Despite the win, the Loons faced a setback when Ryan, their starting pitcher, was sidelined with a left hamstring strain. The 22-year-old, who had a 2.89 ERA through 14 starts this season, was diagnosed after pitching five innings in Friday’s game. “We’re evaluating the severity, but he’s expected to miss at least two weeks,” said team physician Dr. Lisa Nguyen, citing a team medical report. Ryan’s absence could impact the team’s rotation ahead of a critical series against the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Serwinowski, the Loons’ 20-year-old right-hander, provided stability on the mound, allowing three runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. The 2023 first-round pick, who has a 3.12 ERA in 12 starts, struck out six batters and threw 78 pitches. “Adam’s command and poise on the mound are impressive for a young pitcher,” said pitching coach Mike Torrez. The performance marked Serwinowski’s third quality start of the season, per Baseball-Reference.
The victory extended the Loons’ lead in the Midwest League’s South Division to 2.5 games. The team’s offense, which ranks 12th in the league with a .245 team batting average, has shown improvement in recent weeks. Hernández’s recent surge has drawn attention from MLB scouts, with the 6-foot-4 slugger currently ranked 15th in the Tigers’ organizational prospect list, according to Baseball America.
Looking ahead, the Loons will face the Whitecaps in a three-game set starting Monday. The team’s medical staff will continue monitoring Ryan’s condition, with a follow-up MRI scheduled for Tuesday. “We’re focused on winning games, but we’ll take the necessary steps to ensure our players are ready,” said general manager Tom Hageman in a press release.
The game drew 3,217 fans to Dow Diamond, according to venue records. The Loons’ next home game is scheduled for Monday against the Battle Creek Batting Practice, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET.
Teoscar Hernández’s MLB profile | Great Lakes Loons official site | 2023 team stats
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