UPDATE: LANSING - The Lugnuts defeated the Great Lakes Loons 8-2 on Saturday, June 20th. They have clinched the Midwest League East division title.

ORIGINAL STORY: LANSING -


A day after clinching a playoff berth in a rain-shortened win against the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the Lugnuts shifted their attention towards the Midwest League East division title.

Starting pitcher, Jesus Tinoco, was called upon to start for Lansing. Tinoco threw 6 quality innings, allowing 1 earned run on 7 hits. He also struck out 4 Loons.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the 7th, the Lugnuts used an error by the Loons' center fielder Alex Verdugo to tie the game. That tie would be short lived however because the Loons would go on to have a 5-run 8th inning to blow the game wide open.

Designated hitter Ryan McBroom was one of the few bright spots for the Lugnuts with 2 hits and a run scored. McBroom talked about how his team needs to stay focused with the division title still up for grabs.

"We got to win one out of the next two," said McBroom. "We just need to keep doing what we have been doing all season, playing good baseball and scoring runs."

With a win on either Saturday or Sunday against the Great Lakes Loons, the Lugnuts can clinch the Midwest League East division title for the first time since 2012.