After holding a five-run lead early on, the TinCaps squandered it to the Dayton Dragons in an 8-7 loss in front of 8,008 fans on Saturday night at Parkview Field.
Game recap from the Fort Wayne TinCaps:
Fort Wayne Falls in One-Run Thriller
By Jack GordonFort Wayne, Indiana (August 17, 2024) – After holding a five-run lead early on, the TinCaps squandered it to the Dayton Dragons (Reds affiliate) in an 8-7 loss in front of 8,008 fans on Saturday night at Parkview Field.
Fort Wayne (17-30, 45-68) got off to a hot start in the first inning. Kai Murphy walked to lead off and Joshua Mears reached base on a fielder’s choice soon after. With two outs, Devin Ortiz smacked a three-run homer to thrust the ‘Caps in front of the Dragons 3-0.
In the second, the TinCaps piled on with a two-run single from Ethan Salas (No. 1 Padres prospect). Salas went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a walk. The 18-year-old catcher is riding an 11-game on-base streak and has driven in 10 runs in that stretch.
Through five innings, Fort Wayne starter Jagger Haynes (No. 21 Padres prospect) pitched marvelously. The lefty didn’t give up a hit until the sixth when things started to go wrong for the ‘Caps. Dayton singled twice then walked twice to make it 5-2. After the next batter reached on a fielder’s choice, Haynes was pulled in favor of Dwayne Matos, and immediately after, Dragons designated hitter John Michael Faile hit a grand slam to pull Dayton in front 6-5. Later in the inning Jay Allen II hit a two-run single and gave the Dragons an 8-5 lead.
Fort Wayne fought back in the sixth thanks to a pair of recent call-ups. Jacob Campbell led off the inning with his first base hit in High-A. Wyatt Hoffman clubbed an RBI double to score Campbell and strike within two. Later on, Salas hit his second RBI single of the game to score Hoffman and make it a one-run game.
From the seventh inning on, the Dayton bullpen took over. Dragons relievers John Murphy and Simon Miller combined for three hitless innings to end it 8-7.
This was the 17th sellout crowd of the season for the TinCaps.
Next Game: Sunday, Aug. 18 vs. Dayton (1:05pm)
- TinCaps Probable Starter: RHP Braden Nett (No. 20 Padres prospect)
- Dragons Probable Starter: RHP Gabriel Aguilera
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