News release from the TinCaps:
TinCaps Split with West Michigan
(June 1, 2013) – Despite unfavorable odds entering action Saturday, the TinCaps finished off a suspended game with a four-run come-from-behind win over West Michigan, only to drop the second game of the series, 3-1. Despite the split, the TinCaps remain 1-and-a-half games ahead of Bowling Green in the wild-card race.
Heavy rain forced the suspension of Friday’s series opener, which was picked up around 6:30 Saturday in the bottom of the 11th inning, with the TinCaps trailing, 7-4. Whitecaps closer Jose Valdez, who was a perfect 12-for-12 in save opportunities, surrendered four runs and did not record an out, ushering Fort Wayne to an 8-7 win. Mallex Smith, Alberth Martinez and Luis Tejada all had run-producing hits in the bottom of the 11th frame, with Tejada’s being of the walk-off variety.
Roman Madrid (5-1), who had allowed three runs in the top of the 11th Friday night, earned the win. Madrid leads the team both in wins and saves (9). Valdez (1-1) was pinned with the loss.
Thirty minutes later, the Whitecaps got the scoring going against Fort Wayne (31-23) starter Joe Ross (3-2). The Californian righty allowed single runs in the second and fourth innings, departing with a 2-1 deficit after five innings. The TinCaps’ lone run scored on a Brian Adams RBI groundout in the fifth.
West Michigan (27-26) starter Endrys Briceno (3-2) picked up his third win of the season by allowing just that one run over six innings. He scattered six hits, walked two and struck out one, avenging a 4 1/3 inning, five-run performance against the TinCaps on April 10th.
In the second game, Fort Wayne went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base. They brought the tying run to the plate three times in the bottom of the ninth after a leadoff single by Chris Burke, but could not muster another baserunner.
Fort Wayne’s season-high-tying six-game winning streak came to a close with the loss, but they’ll look to start a new streak Sunday afternoon at 3:05 PM. The scheduled starters are Max Fried for the TinCaps and Edgar De La Rosa for the Whitecaps. The game can be seen on XFINITY 81 and heard on The Fan 1380 and TheFanFortWayne.com.
Related Images:
