After trailing by as many as five runs, and down 7-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the TinCaps pieced together their ninth comeback victory of the season, 8-7, over South Bend on Friday night at Parkview Field.
Late Rally Gives TinCaps Win In Front of Sellout Crowd
By Jack GordonFort Wayne, Indiana (May 17, 2024) – After trailing by as many as five runs, and down 7-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the TinCaps pieced together their ninth comeback victory of the season, 8-7, over South Bend on Friday night at Parkview Field. With over 6,500 fans in attendance, the ‘Caps scored a season-high-tying eight runs and had a dominant bullpen performance.
The scoring started in the first inning when leadoff man Nik McClaughry reached base with a walk and was knocked in by a Devin Ortiz RBI single. After scoring six runs in the second and third innings, the Cubs (14-23) led the TinCaps (15-22), 6-1. The ‘Caps battled early, getting three runs back in the third inning. A two-run double by left fielder Albert Fabian and another RBI single from Ortiz pulled Fort Wayne within two.
South Bend added one more run in the fifth, and the TinCaps trailed 7-4 in the seventh. With back-to-back hit from designated hitter Ethan Salas (No. 1 Padres prospect) and third baseman Jay Beshears, who doubled there were two men on and one out. Fabian smacked his second two-run double of the night to drive both runners in and pull within one. Catcher Anthony Vilar continued the party with an RBI single to tie the game.
In the eighth, Tyler Robertson led off with a walk. After a groundout and a Salas walk, the game-winning run stood 90 feet away. A wild pitch from Cubs pitcher Grayson Moore brought Robertson in to score and gave Fort Wayne a lead it wouldn’t give up.
The offense scored its most runs in May, and the back end of the bullpen held up its end of the bargain. José Geraldo, Ryan Och, Will Geerdes (W), and Mitch Miller (SV, 3) combined to pitch five innings of one-run ball while striking out 10 and not walking any batters.
Next Game: Saturday, May 18 vs. South Bend (6:35 pm)
- TinCaps Probable Starter: RHP Dylan Lesko (No. 3 Padres prospect)
- Cubs Probable Starter: RHP Sam Armstrong
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