TinCaps recap for their 12-10 loss to the South Bend Cubs yesterday evening.
Ruiz, Lopez Homer in Road Loss
South Bend, Indiana (May 25, 2021) – In a game that lasted 3 hours and 55 minutes, the Fort Wayne TinCaps lost to the South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs affiliate), 12-10, on Tuesday night at Four Winds Field in the opener of a six-game series.
Fort Wayne (7-11) initially led 7-0 before South Bend stormed back. Meanwhile, it literally stormed, too, with a heavy rain falling during the later innings.
Right fielder Agustin Ruiz hit a two-run home run and shortstop Justin Lopez hit a three-run shot in the top of the first inning to power the TinCaps early. Third baseman Ethan Skender added an RBI-double to increase their lead to 6-0 in the first frame. The ’Caps tacked on another run in the fourth to go up 7-0.
For the 21-year-old Ruiz, it was his fifth homer of the season through 16 games. He had hit five home runs over the first 197 games of his Minor League Baseball career prior to this year. With 17 RBIs this season, Ruiz leads active players in High-A Central.
On the mound for Fort Wayne, right-hander Gabe Mosser, in his first start of the season, was nearly flawless. He allowed just one single over five scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Of the 67 pitches he threw, 44 were strikes (65%). Mosser lowered his season ERA to 2.08 over 17 1/3 innings. That is the fifth lowest ERA in the league. His 0.92 WHIP is also fifth lowest.
However, South Bend (9-9) rallied with six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the deficit to one run.
The TinCaps responded in the ensuing frame as left fielder Grant Little delivered a two-run single to push the lead to 9-6.
But in the bottom of the eighth, the Cubs posted six runs again to go up, 12-9.
’Caps designated hitter Dwanya Williams-Sutton provided a run-scoring single in the top of the ninth, though it wasn’t enough.
In the top of the eighth inning, a physical altercation occurred between the teams. South Bend’s relief pitcher at the time, Brandon Hughes, was ejected, along with Cubs catcher Jake Washer and manager Michael Ryan. Fort Wayne second baseman Kelvin Melean was also dismissed.
Next Game: Wednesday, May 26 @ South Bend (7:05 p.m.)
Fort Wayne Probable Starter: RHP Moises Lugo
South Bend Probable Starter: RHP Derek Casey
Watch: MiLB.TV
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