TinCaps third baseman Graham Pauley blasted a monster two-run homer and catcher Anthony Vilar launched a solo shot, but Fort Wayne couldn’t rally from a big early deficit.
Game recap from the Fort Wayne TinCaps:
Pauley & Vilar Homer, But TinCaps Rally Falls Short
By Derek DeckerFort Wayne, Indiana (July 18, 2023) – TinCaps third baseman Graham Pauley (No. 30 Padres prospect) blasted a monster two-run homer and catcher Anthony Vilar launched a solo shot, but Fort Wayne couldn’t rally from a big early deficit, falling to the Lake County Captains (Cleveland Guardians affiliate), 8-5, at Parkview Field in Tuesday’s series opener in front of 6,199 fans on Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond Night.
Lake County (8-11, 39-45) poured on four early runs in the top of the first, highlighted by designated hitter Nate Furman’s two-run single with two outs. Furman finished the game with three hits and three RBIs.
The Captains added two more in the third on third baseman Christian Cario’s two-run double, making it 6-0. They also scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, and in the fifth, built their largest lead of the game, 8-0.
But Fort Wayne (12-7, 44-41) climbed back with first baseman Nathan Martorella’s (No. 23 Padres prospect) sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Vilar. It was Martorella’s 63rd RBI this year, which leads the Midwest League.
Then in the sixth, Pauley launched his fifth homer since his June 27 promotion from Single-A Lake Elsinore to deep right field, cutting the deficit to 8-3. The ‘Caps tacked on one more in the seventh thanks to designated hitter Carlos Luis’s sacrifice fly.
In the eighth, Vilar clobbered his solo home run, which was his first of the season with Fort Wayne, trimming the lead to 8-5, but the home team couldn’t muster any more in the ninth.
Both ‘Caps homers went 390 feet.
The TinCaps were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners on base.
Center fielder Jakob Marsee (No. 22 Padres prospect) reached base four times with two singles and two walks. He also stole two bases. He ranks second in the Midwest League in on-base percentage (.404) and stolen bases (33), while leading the league in runs (70) and walks (66).
Right fielder Lucas Dunn also reached base four times, for a second consecutive game. He singled, was hit by a pitch, and walked twice.
Fort Wayne continues to lead Dayton and West Michigan by three games in the East Division second-half standings.
Next Game: Wednesday, July 19 vs. Lake County (12:05 p.m.)
- TinCaps Probable Starter: LHP Miguel Cienfuegos
- Captains Probable Starter: RHP Aaron Davenport
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