Game recap from the TinCaps:
TinCaps ReCap: Storybook ending to homestand for TinCaps
FAR FAR AWAY in Fort Wayne Indiana (July 17, 2015) – The TinCaps raced past the Lake County Captains, 8-3, on Princess Fairy Tale Knight, closing out a storybook-like homestand. Fort Wayne finished 6-3 during its nine-game stretch at Parkview Field.
Lake County (7-14, 43-46) scored a run in the first inning, but Fort Wayne (14-8, 46-44) plated three in the bottom half of the frame. Ruddy Giron singled and then Tim Federowicz walked. Franmil Reyes and Trae Santos both followed with run-scoring hits to push the home team in front, 3-1.
The teams traded runs in the second inning, but Fort Wayne’s lead grew in the third. In his final rehab start with the TinCaps, Federowicz singled to lead off against Thomas Pannone (L, 4-4), and then advanced to third base after Reyes’ second double on the night. Luis Tejada stroked a single to center field that plated the Padres catcher and stretched the lead to 5-2.
Bobby Bradley hammered his league-leading 14th home run of the season in the fourth to cut Fort Wayne’s advantage to two runs, but that was as close as Lake County would get.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, Henry Charles doubled down the left-field line and drove in all three. The TinCaps led 8-3.
After starter Michael Kelly (W, 5-2) was lifted, left-hander Taylor Cox worked an efficient and scoreless seventh inning, followed by two shutout frames of relief from Seth Lucio.
Fort Wayne hasn’t lost a home series in more than two months. Manager Francisco Morales’ team has gone 8-0-2 over its last ten series at Parkview Field.
In theme with the “knight,” the TinCaps wore “knight in shining armor” jerseys, which were auctioned off for Indiana Donor Network. Elsa and Anna from Frozen threw out the game’s ceremonial first pitches.
The TinCaps start a nine-game road trip on Saturday in Dayton, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field. The probable starters are Chris Huffman (3-5, 3.96) for Fort Wayne and Tejay Antone (4-7, 3.24) for the Dragons. The action can be heard on ESPN Radio 1380, Box Score, and the TuneIn Radio app starting at 6:45 p.m.
By Kevin Fitzgerald