The Loons knocked off the West Michigan Whitecaps on Tuesday night to advance to the Midwest League Championship Series, which begins on Wednesday, September 14 at Ashford University Stadium in Clinton, IA. (Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Loons)

The question of the day on Tuesday is how would the Loons respond following their loss to the West Michigan Whitecaps on Monday. After the third inning the Loons bats were absolutely silenced by the Whitecaps as West Michigan forced a third and deciding game. The winner of that game will advance to face the Clinton LumberKings in the Midwest League Finals.

In that Western Division final game Seattle’s No. 4 prospect Nick Neidert allowed only three hits over seven-plus innings and Ricky Eusebio hit a walk-off single in the 11th inning as Clinton outlasted visiting Cedar Rapids Kernals 1-0.

Great Lakes may be at a disadvantage with their bullpen as relievers Dean Kremer and Tony Gonsolin were forced to log a combined 5.2 innings on Monday, albeit very successful innings.

On Tuesday 20-year-old Cuban sensation Yadier Alvarez got the call for the Loons. The native from Mantanzas, Cuba who features a fastball approaching three digits, was signed by the Dodgers as an international free agent on July 2, 2015. He made his professional debut in 2016 with the Arizona League Dodgers and after pitching 17.2 innings with the Dodgers, in which he struck out 21, he was promoted to the Loons on July 20.

On the season with the Loons the 6’3”-175-pound right-hander posted a 2.29 ERA and a WHIP of 1.07 along with 55 strikeouts. He walked 11.

The Whitecaps countered with right-hander Kyle Dowdy. During the 2016 season he pitched 107.2 innings going 10-3 with an ERA of 2.84 while striking out 86 and walking 11. He was touched up on September 1 for 5 runs in 5.2 innings by the South Bend Cubs.

As expected a tight pitching battle was featured early in the game. Through the first three innings only one batter had gotten on base. Whitecaps first baseman managed a single off Alvarez but was left stranded at first base.

West Michigan drew first blood in the bottom of the fourth inning. Following a walk by Alvarez a throwing error by third baseman Zach McKintry allowed second baseman Will Maddox to score all the way from first base. His teammate Will Allen wound up on third base. The Loons almost escaped the inning with no further damage by getting an out at home plate but gave up a second run on a single by shortstop David Gonzalez. Fortunately, the Whitecaps ran into an inning ending out at third base. The defensive miscues had pushed Alvarez’s pitch count to 51 over four innings.

After five innings Whitecaps starter Kyle Dowdy had held the Loons hitless while inducing 10 ground ball outs. In the top of the sixth inning third baseman Zach McKinstry was robbed of a base hit to left field on a diving play by Cam Gibson, the son of Dodgers 1988 World Series hero Kirk Gibson. Darien Tubbs then touched Dowdy for the first Loons hit of the game. Although Brendon Davis collected the Loons second hit Dowdy again closed out the inning.

Right-hander Jose Santos replaced Alvarez in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Whitecaps leading 2-0. Alvarez closed with a line of three hits over five innings with two unearned runs and three strikeouts. He walked one.

Santos pitched to a minimum of three hitters in the inning. The third out was a remarkable play in which he took a line shot off his foot, tracked the ball down, and threw the runner out at first. Following the play, he had a protective boot placed on his foot by the medical staff and he left the field on a golf cart.

The Loons bullpen was definitely shortened up with the loss of Jose Santos while Kyle Dowdy continued on the mound for the Whitecaps. With one out in the top of the seventh inning Dowdy faltered. A walk to D.J. Peters was followed by a single by Logan Landon and a run scoring single by catcher Jake Hensen.

Right-hander Brian Garcia came on to put out the fire for the Whitecaps. He struck out Zach McKinstry but with two strikes against him Erick Meza earned a walk loading the bases. Saige Jenco then struck out ending the Loons half of the inning leaving them down by a run.

Right-hander Andrew Istler set the Whitecaps down in the bottom of the seventh inning.

In the top half of the eighth inning Whitecaps right-handed fireballer Drew Smith came in looking for a two-inning save serving them up at 97-mph. He gave up a single to center field by Brendon Davis who was brought home on a line shot home run to second baseman Omar Estevez. That would without doubt be the most important home run in the Loons 10-year history. Smith ended the inning with no further damage but having blown his save opportunity and leaving with the Loons leading 3-2.

Andrew Istler gave up a leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth inning to Joey Havrilak who advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt but he left the runner standing on second base by striking out the next two hitters.

Mark Ecker, another power pitcher out of West Michigan’s bullpen armed with a 96 mph fastball, set down the first two hitters he faced and got Gage Green to swing at a low third strike. However, the pitch evaded catcher Arvicent Perez allowing Green to reach first base. How important was that play? Green came around to score on hits by Saige Jenco and Brendon Davis. Jenco put the Loons up 5-2 when he scored on another Ecker wild pitch.

Loons closer Shea Spitzbarth shut down the Whitecaps in the bottom of the ninth inning, for his second save, sending the Loons to their first ever Midwest League Championship Series.

The Loons will head west to Clinton, Iowa for a game with the LumberKings on Wednesday. The first two games in the series will be played in Clinton with the final three scheduled for Dow Diamond in Midland beginning on Saturday.

Coverage of the championship series will be provided by announcers Chris Vosters and Brad Tunney on ESPN 100.9-FM and Loons.com.