Great Lakes is Playoff Bound

LANSING, Mich. - The Loons fell 8-2 to the Lansing Lugnuts at Cooley Law School Stadium, but the Loons secured a spot in the Midwest League postseason upon the elimination of Lake County from contention on Saturday night.

The Loons (38-29) qualify for the playoffs for the fourth time in franchise history (2009, 2010 and 2013). It is the second time the Loons have locked up a spot in the first half. 

Going into Saturday night's action, one spot remained up for grabs in the eastern division. The Loons held a two game lead over Lake County for the slot with two games to play. 

The Captains dropped a 9-8 decision to the Dayton Dragons and could not make up any ground on the Loons in the standings. Trailing the Loons by two games with one remaining, the Captains are eliminated from contention. 

News of Lake County's defeat rendered the results of the Loons' game Saturday night largely irrelevant. Had Lake County prevailed, the Loons would have needed a win or a Lake County loss on Sunday to clinch. 

The results Saturday night remove what could have been a drama-filled Father's Day for the Loons against Lansing's powerful lineup. 

On Saturday, the Lugnuts peppered the Loons for 13 hits and two three-run innings. Lansing took a 4-0 lead against Loons' starter Kevin Guzman (L, 4-5), who lasted five innings. The Loons registered ten hits of their own, but only crossed twice against Lansing lefty Shane Dawson (W, 9-4), the Midwest League leader in wins. 

Lansing polished the Loons with a three-run eighth inning to cap the scoring at 8-2. After Dawson exited, righty reliever Dusty Isaacs (S, 1) shut down the Loons over the final three frames. 

The Lugnuts (41-28) clinch the first-half Midwest League Eastern Division crown with the win. The Loons will play the second-half winner in the playoffs after the regular season concludes September 7. 

Great Lakes ties a bow on the the first half with a Sunday matinee against the Lugnuts at 2:05 p.m. EDT. Right-hander Brandon Martinez takes the ball for the Loons against fellow righty Conner Greene. Coverage starts at 1:35 p.m. on ESPN 100.9-FM. 

Following a three-day rest for the Midwest League All-Star break, the Loons open the second-half of the season against the Fort Wayne Tin Caps at Dow Diamond on Thursday, June 25 at 7:05 p.m. 

The Great Lakes Loons are a ninth-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For tickets and more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com, or call 989-837-BALL.