MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Fort Wayne Stuns Loons in Ten-Inning Thriller

Published on July 5, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Brock Carpenter hit a three-run opposite-field home run in the top of the 10th inning to give the Loons a 5-2 lead, but the Fort Wayne TinCaps scored four runs without making an out in the bottom of the frame to leave the Loons speechless with a 6-5 loss at Parkview Field on Thursday night.

Justin Lopez drew a walk from Dan Jagiello with the bases loaded to score Tirso Ornelas and end the game. Jagiello also allowed a game-ending walk on April 12 at West Michigan.

Two notable plays occurred in Fort Wayne's improbable 10th inning. With runners on first and second and no one out, Esteury Ruiz hit a hard ground ball up the middle behind second base. Devin Mann ranged to his right, successfully back-handed the ball and attempted a strenuous throw to first to nab the speedy Ruiz; the throw sailed onto the extended warning track, which allowed Jack Suwinski to score on the error and make the score 5-3.

The second play of critical importance took place two batters later when Luis Campusano hit a hopper up the third base line with men at the corners. Luke Heyer approached, made a clean pick and a strong throw home to catcher Hunter Feduccia. The Loons' backstop secured the throw before Ruiz reached home and attempted to tag out the runner, who was ruled safe by home plate umpire Gabriel Alfonso. This tied the game and cemented a momentum swing of ghastly magnitude.

Just minutes before, an elated Loons' dugout greeted Carpenter, the designated hitter, who spanked a home run to right field off Fort Wayne's Evan Miller to snap a 2-2 dead heat. It was the Loons' third hit of the game.

TinCaps' starter Luis Patiño threw 5 2/3 innings and did not allow a hit. The Colombian righty did walk three, but struck out eight. Patiño departed after he walked Brayan Morales with two outs in the sixth, and the Loons extended the inning further when Ruiz committed an error at third for Fort Wayne.

The Loons then tallied their first hit of the night courtesy of shortstop Deacon Liput, the Dodgers' 10th-round pick, who made his professional debut Thursday after a standout three-year career at the University of Florida. Liput drilled a fly ball to deep right-center to tie the game, but was thrown out at home on the play to end the inning. The two-run triple snapped a 23-inning scoreless streak for the Loons.

The team returns to Dow Diamond for a four-game series against the Dayton Dragons that begins Friday at 7:05 p.m. EDT.

The Great Lakes Loons have been the Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team's home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and ESPN 100.9-FM. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.

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Midwest League Stories from July 5, 2018


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