The TinCaps homered three times on Saturday night at LMCU Ballpark, but saw a pair of leads slip away in an 8-5 loss to the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Game recap from the Fort Wayne TinCaps:
TinCaps Homer 3 Times in Loss
Comstock Park, Michigan (July 29, 2023) – The Midwest League East Division-leading TinCaps homered three times on Saturday night at LMCU Ballpark, but saw a pair of leads slip away in an 8-5 loss to the West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers affiliate).
After West Michigan (13-16, 45-49) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, Fort Wayne catcher Anthony Vilar equalized, leading off the third with a solo homer. Later in the frame, following a single by right fielder Kai Murphy, who finished the night with two hits and a walk, second baseman Nerwilian Cedeño (No. 12 Padres prospect) crushed a two-run homer to give the TinCaps a 3-1 lead. It was Cedeño’s first High-A blast. Designated hitter Carlos Luis went deep to lead off the fourth, expanding the advantage to 4-1.
All thee homers came against No. 1 Tigers prospect Jackson Jobe, the third overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Meanwhile, left-hander Miguel Cienfuegos gave a gutsy performance, starting on two days’ rest after his two-inning outing Wednesday was suspended by rain. The originally scheduled starter, Victor Lizarraga, and two relievers were placed on the 7-Day Injured List on Thursday, leaving the Summit City squad’s staff short-handed.
The Whitecaps, however, scored three runs in the sixth to tie the game, 4-4.
Fort Wayne (17-12, 49-46) regained the lead in the top of the eighth as shortstop Kervín Pichardo delivered a two-out, RBI single that made it 5-4.
But West Michigan rallied with four runs in its half of the eighth to go in front for good.
Nevertheless, the TinCaps lead the Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds affiliate) by one game in the second-half standings.
Fort Wayne now also leads the league in home runs (95) and OPS (.733).
Next Game: Sunday, July 30 @ West Michigan (2 p.m.)
- TinCaps Probable Starter: LHP Bodi Rascon
- Whitecaps Probable Starter: RHP Spencer Turnbull (MLB Rehab)
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