News release from the TinCaps:
Perez Powers Potent Attack as TinCaps Top Bees, 13-3
(April 15, 2014) – Fernando Perez played the role of catalyst Tuesday night at Parkview Field, igniting the offense and driving in five runs to power a 13-run effort as the TinCaps defeated the Burlington Bees, 13-3. Perez was one of four Fort Wayne hitters to have multi-RBI nights—he had five– in the second home win at Parkview Field this season.
The second inning started with a piece of opposite-field hitting from Fort Wayne (4-7) right fielder Franmil Reyes, who clocked a pitch to right field. The ball was misplayed by outfielder Ranyelmy Mendoza, allowing Reyes to end up at third. He scored on a Perez groundout to give the TinCaps a 1-0 lead. Burlington (6-5) starter Elliot Morris (1-1) then walked Dane Phillips, and Jose Carlos Urena tripled him home. Catcher Ryan Miller doubled in Urena, and the TinCaps led 4-0 after two.
In the third, after a leadoff walk to Reyes, Perez clobbered his first home run of the year, a towering two-run blast over the wall in right to make it 6-1, TinCaps.
Meanwhile, Fort Wayne starter Walker Weickel (1-2) gave up runs in the third and fourth, which were the only two he allowed. Weickel went five innings, walked three, and struck out four, becoming the first TinCaps starting pitcher to pick up a victory this season.
The TinCaps scored four more times in the sixth with run scoring hits from Perez, Phillips and Miller. In addition to Perez, Reyes, Phillips, and Miller all had two RBI, while Urena tacked on his fourth of the season.
The 13 runs plated by Fort Wayne were the most since July 5, 2013, against the South Bend Silver Hawks.
The finale of the three-game series comes Wednesday morning at 11:05 a.m., as the TinCaps will look for their first series win of 2014. The scheduled starters are southpaw Payton Baskette for Fort Wayne and Ryan Etsell for Burlington. The game can be seen on XFINITY 81 and heard on The Fan 1380 and TheFanFortWayne.com.