Game recap from the TinCaps:
Ernesto Montas and Colby Blueberg blanked Dayton, 1-0
DAYTON, Ohio (July 3, 2015) – The TinCaps shut out the Dayton Dragons, 1-0, at Fifth Third Field on Friday night for their third consecutive win. Fort Wayne has won 10 of its last 13 games and has allowed more than three runs in a game just once during the stretch.
Catcher Jose Ruiz — who had the game-winning hit in the ninth inning of a 6-2 victory on Thursday — singled in the second to score third baseman Luis Tejada for the game’s only run. Tejada had led the frame off against Junior Morillo (L, 1-3) with a double. Designated hitter Edwin Moreno advanced Tejada to third base with a sacrifice bunt to be in position to score on Ruiz’s hit to center field.
The 1-0 lead proved to be enough for TinCaps starter Ernesto Montas (W, 7-5). The 23-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic became the first Fort Wayne starter this year to work into the eighth inning. Montas held the Dragons to six hits and a walk in seven-plus innings.
Montas eventually exited to high-fives from his teammates after he allowed a lead-off double to Jimmy Pickens in the eighth. Righty Colby Blueberg (S, 11) came in and proceeded to retire all six batters he faced. After the first batter he faced, Jonathan Reynoso, laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Pickens to third, Blueberg struck out Dayton’s number two and three hitters, Luis Gonzalez and Argenis Aldazoro.
The Dragons nearly tied the game in the bottom of the third, but center fielder Michael Gettys threw out Pickens at the plate. Earlier in the inning, left fielder Nick Torres threw out Narciso Crook at third base. TinCaps outfielders have six outfield assists over their last five games.
Since Dayton (4-5, 43-36) scored in the first inning Thursday, Fort Wayne (6-3, 38-39) pitchers have tossed 17 consecutive scoreless innings.
Friday was the second shutout win of the week for the TinCaps, who also blanked Bowling Green, 2-0, on Monday. Montas also became the third Fort Wayne starter this week to throw seven innings without allowing an earned run. He joined Thomas Dorminy, who did it on Monday, and Michael Kelly, who did it Wednesday.
The game went 2 hours, 9 minutes, making it the shortest nine-inning game of the season for the TinCaps.
Fort Wayne and Dayton shift their series to Parkview Field on Saturday night. The Fourth of July game is set to start at 6:35 p.m., with the City of Fort Wayne Fireworks following the final out. All-Star left-hander Thomas Dorminy (6-5, 4.00) is in line to start for the TinCaps against righty Tyler Mahle (7-5, 3.07). The game can be heard on ESPN Radio 1380, Box Score, and the TuneIn Radio app, and seen on Comcast Network 81.
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