News release from the TinCaps:
TinCaps Slip by Loons in Extras
(August 17, 2013) Midland, Mich. – In the opener of a four-game series at Dow Diamond Saturday night, the Fort Wayne TinCaps used a two-run burst in the 10th inning to end a three-game losing streak, defeating the Great Lakes Loons, 4-3.
Great Lakes (31-23, 58-66) also entered the night on a three-game losing streak. Looking to snap the slide, the Loons started the scoring as designated hitter Aaron Miller connected on an RBI single in the third inning against Fort Wayne (20-34, 63-60) starter Walker Weickel. That was the only run allowed by Weickel, who pitched five innings for the first time since July 15th. He finished having allowed three hits, four walks and two strikeouts, but did not factor in the decision.
The TinCaps responded with two runs in the sixth inning, snapping a 17-inning scoreless drought, which dated back to Thursday night. With two runners on base, Hunter Renfroe hit a ground ball to second baseman Kevin Taylor, who threw wildly to first base allowing both Mallex Smith and Alberth Martinez to score. Taylor was charged with an error, and Renfroe was given his fourth run batted in of the season.
In the bottom of that inning, TinCaps reliever Matt Chabot gave up a one-out home run to Jeremy Rathjen, which tied the game at two. Chabot came through with a game-saving feat in the seventh inning, escaping from a bases-loaded, nobody-out jam. He induced a pop-up, struck out a batter and forced another pop-out to sidestep danger and keep the game tied at two. Fort Wayne pitching stranded 11 Loons baserunners on the night. Jorge Guzman (1-1) followed Chabot with two scoreless innings in the 8th and 9th innings.
Loons reliever Owen Jones came on in the 10th inning, with both teams going scoreless in the eighth, ninth and 10th innings. Jones fanned Miguel Del Castillo to start the inning, but then gave up a single to Mallex Smith and walked Alberth Martinez. Reynaldo Bruguera reached on a fielder’s choice, which put runners at first and third with one out. Gabriel Quintana delivered an RBI single, making it 3-2, and Bruguera came in to score on a wild pitch, giving the TinCaps a much-needed insurance run.
Fort Wayne closer Roman Madrid allowed one run in the bottom of the 10th, giving up back-to-back doubles to begin the frame. But Madrid, who notched his league-leading 20th save, retired the final three batters in succession to close out the game.
Game two of the series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 3:05 p.m. The scheduled starters are Max Fried for Fort Wayne and Chris Anderson for Great Lakes. The game can be heard on The Fan 1380 and TheFanFortWayne.com.
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