Game recap from the TinCaps:
TinCaps set a new franchise-record 11th walk off win of the season
(September 6, 2015) – The TinCaps set a new franchise record with their 11th walk off win of the season on Saturday night, defeating the Bowling Green Hot Rods, 4-3, in 11 innings. It’s the most walk off victories in a single season for Fort Wayne.
With the game tied 2-2, both teams went down quietly in the 10th inning, but in the top of the 11th, Thomas Milone scored on a sacrifice fly to give Bowling Green (31-35, 68-68) a 3-2 edge.
In the home half of frame, the first three batters reached safely against reliever Edwin Fierro (L, 3-3), on the mound for his first inning of work. Luis Tejada singled and then zoomed to third after Michael Miller drove one into left field. With nobody out, the number-nine hitter, Rey Bruguera, lined a base hit into center field to score Tejada and tie the game. Then it was Josh VanMeter’s turn. The Ossian, Indiana, native squared to sacrifice both runners into scoring position. Hot Rods catcher Nick Ciuffo fielded the bunt but air-mailed the baseball over his third basemen’s head and Miller came down the line to score the winning run.
Taylor Cox (W, 1-3) picked up his first victory of the season after entering the game in the 10th.
Fort Wayne (44-24, 76-50) received another splendid start from Chris Huffman. The righty fired seven strong innings – allowing just one run in the fourth and striking out a career-high seven batters. The TinCaps are now 9-0 in Huffman’s last nine starts.
The home team matched that run in a controversial bottom of the fourth, though. Franmil Reyes led off the inning with a towering fly ball that was headed towards the center-field fence. Although it appeared the baseball had cleared the wall and ricocheted off of the facade of the Tuthill 400 Club just beyond the fence, the umpires ruled it hit off the middle of the wall, holding Reyes to just a double. Afterword, Franchy Cordero flew out to left field to move Reyes to third base, and Michael Gettys then drove him in with a sacrifice fly to deep right field. The game was tied at 1-1.
It remained knotted until the eighth inning. Trae Santos tripled to start the frame and once again, Gettys drove in his teammate with another sacrifice fly.
Fort Wayne called on Yimmi Brasoban – who had previously saved 10 games this year in 11 chances – to close the door in the ninth. He allowed a one-out double to Coty Blanchard, though, and fired two wild pitches that enabled Blanchard to move to third base and then score the tying run.
It was the TinCaps first walk off win since August 16 against Cedar Rapids.
T.J. Weir also pitched brilliantly for Fort Wayne on Saturday. He tossed a scoreless eighth frame, striking out the side.
The TinCaps continue its series with the Hot Rods on Sunday at 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Jose Castillo (1-1, 4.09) faces Bowling Green righty Yonny Chirinos (3-5, 2.15).
You can 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.
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