SPORTS
The Lansing Lugnuts impressed the Midwest League in the first half of the season, but still have their work cut out for them to keep postseason hopes alive.
After holding onto first place for most of the first half of the season, the Lugnuts (38-27) lost the top spot to the Fort Wayne Wizards (40-28) in the Eastern division, as well as losing an automatic playoff berth for finishing in first place at the season's turn.
The second half of the Midwest League season begins today at Oldsmobile Park with an eight-game homestand for the 'Nuts.
The first four are against the Kane County Cougars and the remaining games against the Cedar Rapids Kernels.
But before the Lugnuts look forward to the second half, six members of the Lansing roster were chosen to play in Tuesday's Midwest League All-Star Game in Comstock Park, Mich., home of Eastern division foe the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Shortstop Buck Coats (.307, 39 RBI) and designated hitter Donnie Hood (.327, 7 HR, 27 RBI), were selected by Midwest League managers as starters, and left fielder Keith Butler was chosen as a reserve outfielder.
Despite being picked to come in off the bench in Tuesday's All-Star Game, Butler put on the game's most commanding performance.
In the bottom of the ninth, Butler hit a one-out bases loaded single between the shortstop and third baseman to give the Eastern team a 5-4 victory.
Butler, named the Midwest League Star of Stars, went 3-for-3 in the contest.
Lugnuts closer Jason Wylie (0.57 ERA, 14 SV) and starters Jae Kuk Ryu (6-0, 1.83 ERA), Justin Jones (3-3, 2.55 ERA) and Andrew Sisco (2-2, 1.78 ERA) represented the Lansing pitching staff on the Eastern division All-Star squad.
