Game recap from the TinCaps:
Fort Wayne rolls past South Bend, 6-2
(July 9, 2015) – The TinCaps scored first and never trailed in their 6-2 victory over the South Bend Cubs on Thursday night. The win pushed Fort Wayne (10-5, 42-41) above .500 for the first time this season and the team is now in sole possession of first place in the Eastern Division.
The TinCaps also have gone 12-3 at home over their last 15 games, and haven’t lost a series at Parkview Field since mid-May. Francisco Morales’ crew played in front of 6,911 fans on Thursday, the 11th sellout of the year.
The home team loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning off of Cubs starter Jake Stinnett (L, 3-3). Nick Torres then drew a four-pitch walk that allowed Ruddy Giron to score and put Fort Wayne up, 1-0.
Michael Gettys led off the bottom of the third with a walk. He scampered to third base after Trae Santos ripped a double to right field, and then scored after rightfielder Jeffrey Baez’ throwing error. Later, Torres and Jose Ruiz drove in runs to cap off a three-run inning.
It was 4-0 before South Bend (7-8, 36-46) got on the board. The Cubs scored two in the fifth frame and had runners at first and second base when Aaron Cressley (W, 1-1) came out of the bullpen. In his first relief appearance since rejoining the team on Tuesday, Cressley not only retired Baez to end the fifth inning, but then sent down the six batters he faced over the next two innings in order.
Torres led off the bottom half of the frame with his first of two doubles on the night. After Franchy Cordero and Edwin Moreno both walked, Ruiz launched a fly ball to right field. Torres tagged and scored to extend Fort Wayne’s lead back to three runs. A Giron single plated Cordero, and the home team led, 6-2.
Seth Lucio then closed the door in the eighth and ninth. The over-powering righty struck out four over his two innings of work.
Tine TinCaps are 7-2 to start the month of July and begin a four-game series with the Great Lakes Loons on Friday at 7:05 p.m. Manager Francisco Morales calls on Dinelson Lamet (3-4, 3.95) to face Loons scheduled starter Matt Shelton (1-0, 4.70) at Parkview Field.
Watch the action on Comcast Network 81 starting at 7:00 p.m. or listen in on ESPN Radio 1380, Box Score, and the TuneIn Radio app starting at 6:45 p.m.