The Fort Wayne TinCaps overcame a late five-run deficit on the road against the Dayton Dragons on Thursday night at Day Air Ballpark, but ultimately lost, 6-5, in 10 innings.
TinCaps Rally Late, But Fall in 10
By Jack McMullenDayton, Ohio (September 16, 2021) – The Fort Wayne TinCaps overcame a late five-run deficit on the road against the Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds affiliate) on Thursday night at Day Air Ballpark, but ultimately lost, 6-5, in 10 innings.
After a scoreless first, the Dragons (62-55) got to Fort Wayne with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the second inning. A two-run shot from designated hitter Mariel Bautista was followed by a solo blast to left from nine-hitter Reyny Reyes.
Dayton added two more in the third on an RBI check-swing double from first baseman Juan Martinez that dropped in to shallow right field and a blooped single into center from third baseman Victor Ruiz.
The TinCaps (54-63) never had anything going against Dayton starter James Marinan. In his second start of the season with the Dragons, Marinan kept his flawless ERA with six shutout innings and just three hits allowed.
Once Fort Wayne got into Dayton’s bullpen, they got on the board. In the seventh, Dragons reliever Andy Fisher loaded the bases with two walks and a hit-by-pitch. TinCaps shortstop Euribiel Angeles then singled up the middle to break into the run column, and right fielder Tirso Ornelas followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to three.
Down three in the top of the ninth, the TinCaps rallied to knot it, 5-5. With the bases loaded thanks to a pair of walks and an error, Ornelas was hit by a pitch to drive in a run. Shortstop Justin Lopez then drove in two to tie the game on a single to right field.
After TinCaps reliever Felix Minjarez fired a one-two-three bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras, Fort Wayne couldn’t plate their placed runner in the top of the 10th. In the bottom of the inning, pinch-hitter Ivan Johnson ripped a walk-off single down the right field line to take the game, 6-5.
The ‘Caps finished the game 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, leaving 13 on base. The Dragons only stranded two runners as they went 3-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
Next Game: Friday, Sept. 17 @ Dayton (7:05 p.m.)
Fort Wayne Probable Starter: LHP Noel Vela
Dayton Probable Starter: RHP Carson Spiers
Read more AroundFortWayne posts from the TinCaps.
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