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A press release from the TinCaps:
TinCaps Avoid Elimination, Turn Back Loons, 9-4
Fort Wayne forces decisive Game 3 Monday at Parkview FieldThe Fort Wayne TinCaps leveled the best-of-three Eastern Division Championship Series with a 9-4 victory over the Great Lakes Loons, Sunday at Parkview Field. Justin Baum went 3-for-4, drove in four runs and finished a triple shy of the cycle. RHP Stiven Osuna and LHP Rob Musgrave combined on a strong pitching performance. Decisive Game 3 is set for Monday at 7:05pm at Parkview Field.
The TinCaps jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd when Baum ripped a one-out single to left to plate Cole Figueroa, who doubled to lead off the inning. Blake Tekotte singled Baum home with two outs.
In the 3rd, Vince Belnome pounded a one-out double and scored later on an error. Baum plated Dykstra with a double into the right-field corner to make it 4-0.
The Loons chipped into the lead when Nick Buss hit a two-out solo homer in the 4th inning.
RHP Stiven Osuna ran into potential trouble in the 5th and was lifted for LHP Rob Musgrave. The lefty walked Jaime Pedroza to load the bases with two outs, but struck out Anthony Hatch to short-circuit the rally and keep the TinCaps ahead by three runs.
In the bottom of the 5th, the TinCaps took advantage of a key error. Belnome singled and on what appeared to be a tailor-made double-play ball to second, the Loons made an error to put two on with one out. Allan Dykstra stroked a two-run, opposite-field double into the left-field corner to make it 6-1.
The Loons climbed back into the game with a pair of runs in the top of the 6th, but Fort Wayne bounced back with a run of its own in the bottom of the 6th to push the lead to 7-3.
In the 7th, Dykstra hooked another double, this one down the right-field line, off LHP Roberto Feliciano. Baum followed with a titanic home run over the left-field wall to make it 9-3.
Great Lakes scored an unearned run in the 9th on a double by Esteban Lopez, but Musgrave retired Dee Gordon to end the game and force a third game of the series.
Musgrave (3-4) was the winning pitcher; he went 4.1 innings, allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits, walked one and struck out five. RHP Bobby Blevins (11-11) took the loss.
The TinCaps improved to 97-48 for the season and tied the best-of-three series at a game apiece. Great Lakes dropped to 84-61 overall.
Fort Wayne and the Loons (Class-A Los Angeles Dodgers) play Game 3 of the Eastern Division Championship Series, Monday at 7:05pm at Parkview Field in downtown Fort Wayne. It is a Family Feast Night, with selected concessions items on sale for one dollar each. The winner of Monday’s game advances to the Midwest League Championship Series; Fort Wayne has never advanced to the championship round in 17 years as a franchise.
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