Great Lakes Loons falling out of playoff picture

The Great Lakes Loons are slowly falling out of the playoff picture for the 2012 Midwest League season.   The Loons dropped last night's contest to the Bowling Green Hot Rods 4-1.   The Hot Rods the affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays are loaded with talent this season and several of the recent #1 draft choices.    Josh Sale a number 1 pick lead the Hot Rods with a home run and 2 run single in leading his team to victory. 

Tonight the Loons were only able to produce 2 hits as the season is winding down.  It seems as the team has hit the wall and are pushing to make it through the season.   Manager John Shoemaker has juggled the line-up to get some production but it hasn't worked to this point.  Also the Loons pitching has ranked near the bottom of the Midwest League for most of the season with a current 4.19 ERA. 

Prior to the Midwest League game the Michigan Baseball Foundation made one of the several presentations of grants that they do during the season.   Last night the Central Michigan University baseball program received a $5,000 dollar grant.   On hand to receive the grant were Head Coach Steve Jaksa and assistant coaches Jeff Opalewski and Brett Haring.  

The good weekday crowd of 3,455 came in part to recieve a Detroit Red Wings bobblehead doll as one of the great promotions that the Great Lakes Loons have run through out the 2012 season.   With the overall record of 57-64 the Loons only have 19 games left in the 2012 season.  They will have to make a big run to qualify for the Midwest League playoffs.   Having to overtake 3 teams in front of them for the playoff spot the Loons would have to have about a 15-4 record to qualify.   I personally don't see that happening right now.    It has been a long season at Dow Diamond this season.   I'm starting to look forward to the 2013 season.