TinCaps designated hitter Albert Fabián hit the first walk-off grand slam in Parkview Field history in front of a sellout crowd of 6,588 fans on a hot Sunday afternoon, as Fort Wayne won its fifth consecutive game, topping South Bend, 9-6, in 10 innings.
Game recap from the Fort Wayne TinCaps:
Fabian Grand Slam Walks Off Cubs
By Joseph HartzellFort Wayne, Indiana (May 19, 2024) – TinCaps designated hitter Albert Fabián hit the first walk-off grand slam in Parkview Field history in front of a sellout crowd of 6,588 fans on a hot Sunday afternoon, as Fort Wayne won its fifth consecutive game, topping South Bend, 9-6, in 10 innings.
South Bend (14-25) opened the scoring in the first inning, and the game stayed 1-0 until Fort Wayne (17-22) struck back to the tune of five runs in the fourth. First baseman Griffin Doersching started the inning with a sharp line-drive single before catcher Colton Bender launched a double off the center-field wall. Second baseman Nerwilian Cedeño kept the hitting going with an RBI single to right. He then stole second base. The ‘Caps didn’t stop there, as shortstop Nik McClaughry had an RBI infield single before a disengagement violation scored Cedeño and moved McClaughry to second. After a fielder’s choice, McClaughry ended up scoring on a wild pitch. Next, center fielder Homer Bush Jr. (No. 8 Padres prospect) walked, and stole both second and third base, before scoring on the throwing error while he stole third.
The game didn’t stay at 5-1 for long, as the Cubs quickly struck back for two in the fifth, two more in the seventh, and scored an additional run in the 10th to give them a 6-5 lead. After right fielder Kai Murphy started on second, Bush Jr. walked and third baseman Jay Beshears (No. 27 Padres prospect) was hit by a pitch, Fabián came up to bat. Fabián proceeded to launch a grand slam over the right field wall. He’s driven in 14 runs over his last five games.
Reliever Ruben Galíndo earned the win, pitching in the 10th inning and only giving up one hit. The TinCaps played their Midwest League-leading eighth extra innings game today and moved to 4-4 in those games.
The TinCaps also walked off the Cubs on Wednesday and have three walk-off victories already this season. Their five-game winning streak is their longest of the season.
Sunday marked the third consecutive sellout crowd at Parkview Field. It’s the first time the TinCaps have sold out three consecutive games since 2018.Next Game: Tuesday, May 21 vs. Lansing (6:35pm)
- TinCaps probable starter: RHP Enmanuel Pinales
- Lugnuts probable starter: RHP Jake Garland
Related Images:
