With a runner on first and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Fort Wayne left fielder Joshua Mears figuratively had his back against the wall against Wisconsin Timber Rattlers reliever Will Childers.
Game recap from the Fort Wayne TinCaps:
TinCaps Start the Second Half With a Walk-Off Blast
By Jack GordonFort Wayne, Indiana (June 21, 2024) – With a runner on first and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Fort Wayne left fielder Joshua Mears figuratively had his back against the wall against Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers affiliate) reliever Will Childers. The TinCaps trailed, 4-3, but on the second pitch of the at-bat, Mears blasted a ball 442 feet straight over the center-field wall and sent 5,350 fans at Parkview Field home happy with a 5-4 Friday night walk-off victory.
The two-run bomb headlined a thrilling first game of the second half. Wisconsin (0-1, 42-25) got on the board first in the second inning, but Fort Wayne (1-0, 29-38) quickly responded. Anthony Vilar hit an RBI triple to score Devin Ortiz to tie the game. After the first run, Mears hit a sacrifice fly to score Vilar and give the ‘Caps a 2-1 lead.
In the third, Homer Bush Jr. (No. 8 Padres prospect) led off with his second home run and pushed the TinCaps ahead 3-1. The Timber Rattlers tied it up in the sixth and took the lead in the ninth, 4-3.
The bottom of the ninth inning started with back-to-back singles from Ethan Salas (No. 1 Padres prospect) and Ortiz. After Vilar bunted into a double play, the ‘Caps trailed by one with two outs, but Mears’ third home run of the series gave Fort Wayne the win.
Henry Baez (No. 30 Padres prospect) threw five solid innings with only one earned run. Bradgley Rodriguez (No. 28 Padres prospect) pitched the eighth and ninth innings without allowing an earned run.
The victory marks Fort Wayne’s 18th come-from-behind win of the season. This was the team’s fourth walk-off victory of the season.
For the second consecutive night, both teams wore alternate uniforms with the TinCaps as the Hoosier State Tenderloins and the Rattlers as the Udder Tuggers.
Next Game: Saturday, June 22 vs. Wisconsin (6:35pm)
- TinCaps Probable Starter: RHP Dylan Lesko (No. 3 Padres prospect)
- Timber Rattlers Probable Starter: RHP Yujanyer Herrera
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