TinCaps starting pitcher Jared Kollar dominated in six innings with five strikeouts and second baseman Lucas Dunn launched a three-run homer, propelling Fort Wayne to a blowout win, 8-1, over the South Bend Cubs.
Game recap from the Fort Wayne TinCaps:
Kollar Deals and Dunn Homers in Road-Trip Opening Win
By Derek DeckerFort Wayne, Indiana (June 20, 2023) – TinCaps starting pitcher Jared Kollar dominated in six innings with five strikeouts and second baseman Lucas Dunn launched a three-run homer, propelling Fort Wayne to a blowout win, 8-1, over the South Bend Cubs, in Tuesday night’s series opener at Four Winds Field. The ‘Caps are 11-6 in June.
At one point, Kollar had retired 11 Cubs in a row. The lone run he allowed came in the sixth inning after a trio of two-out hits by South Bend.
Shortstop Jackson Merrill had a three-hit game for the second straight contest, which marks the first time he’s accomplished that feat this season. He’s now done it four times in his pro career.
The TinCaps busted the game open in the top of the third inning, scoring five times while sending 10 hitters to the plate. Six consecutive hitters reached base in the frame. After bases-loaded walks by third baseman Marcos Castañon and first baseman Nathan Martorella (No. 23 Padres prospect) and then an RBI single by catcher Brandon Valenzuela (No. 30 Padres prospect), the ‘Caps forced South Bend to make a pitching change.
The offense continued to pour it on after the change, with a run-scoring hit by Dunn, followed by a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Carlos Luis.
In the seventh, with two on and one out, Dunn blasted his fourth long ball of the year to deep left center, giving the ‘Caps an 8-1 lead. He finished the game 2-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch.
South Bend was able to muster three runs in the bottom of the ninth on back-to-back RBI doubles by third baseman Luis Verdugo and first baseman Bryce Ball.
Reliever Edwuin Bencomo provided two shutout innings in relief.
Next Game: Wednesday, June 21 @ South Bend (7:05 p.m. ET)
- TinCaps Probable Starter: RHP Adam Mazur (No. 6 Padres prospect)
- Cubs Probable Starter: RHP Brandon Birdsell
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