Loons edge Lugs, complete sweep

MIDLAND, Mich. - Behind five dominant innings from Chris Anderson and some run production from the bottom of the order, the Great Lakes Loons (31-19, 58-62) completed a sweep of the Lansing Lugnuts (19-32, 51-69) on Monday night at Dow Diamond with a 3-1 win.

Anderson (Win, 3-0) retired the first 11 batters he faced before cruising through five scoreless frames. The 2013 1st-round pick of the Dodgers allowed just two hits to the Lugnuts, issuing one walk while striking out a career-high seven hitters.

The bottom third of the Loons lineup provided more than enough runs for Anderson - and four relievers - to hold on in the win. Owen Jones picked up the four-out save, his second of the season.

Great Lakes plated two in the second inning to take an early lead. With runners on the corner, the Loons sent both runners in a double-steal and with Santiago Nessy's throw going to second base, Jeremy Rathjen successfully took off from third, stealing home to score the first run. An RBI single by Kevin Taylor gave them a 2-0 lead shortly after.

In the seventh, they padded the lead to 3-0 as an error by Chris Hawkins in left field allowed Jose Capellan to come all the way around from first base, scoring on a single by Malcolm Holland.

The Lugs comeback effort fell short in the late innings. They loaded the bases in the eighth inning, down 3-0, but mustered only a sacrifice fly by Emilio Guerrero which scored Jason Leblebijian.

In the loss, Hawkins had a 2-for-4 night at the plate with a pair of infield singles.

Taylor Cole (Loss, 7-11) turned out to be the tough-luck loser for Lansing, allowing just two runs - both earned - on only four Great Lakes' hits. He struck out seven while issuing two walks over 5.2 frames.

Following an off day on Tuesday, the Lugnuts will open up a three-game road series against the West Michigan Whitecaps at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Ben White (7-6, 3.64) will open up on the mound for Lansing against West Michigan right-hander Edgar De La Rosa (6-5, 6.01).

Lansing Lugnuts tickets are available for purchase at lansinglugnuts.com and by calling 517-485-4500, and Lugnuts text alerts are easily accessed by texting LUGNUTS to 313131.