MWL1 Fort Wayne TinCaps

Fort Wayne's Comeback Falls Short in Ninth

Published on August 17, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


LANSING, Mich. - Despite a furious ninth inning rally, the Fort Wayne TinCaps lost the finale of a three-game series, 5-4, against the Lansing Lugnuts. Fort Wayne trailed 4-0 after the first inning, and stormed back, putting the tying run at third base in the ninth inning, but could not complete the comeback.

James Needy (6-2) allowed four first-inning runs against Lansing (28-24, 74-46), all of which scored with two outs. Making his second start of the year, Needy rebounded to give up just three hits over the remainder of his outing. He worked five innings, allowing nine total hits and four earned runs.

Fort Wayne (31-22, 62-61) first scored in the third inning on an RBI single by Jace Peterson. That was the only run allowed by Lansing starter Justin Nicolino (8-4), who worked five innings and allowed just two hits, while walking one and striking out six. Once the TinCaps reached the bullpen, they were able to narrow the gap.

In the seventh, Travis Jankowski hit his first professional home run. He was batting in place of Lee Orr, who had been ejected in the top of the fourth after arguing a called third strike. Jankowski's homer brought the score to 5-2. Later in that inning, BJ Guinn singled home Kyle Gaedele, pulling the TinCaps one run closer, 5-3.

Lansing brought on closer Ajay Meyer, who leads all of Minor League Baseball in saves, in the ninth inning. Austin Hedges delivered a leadoff double, and moved to second on an infield single by Kyle Gaedele. Lugnuts Manager John Tamargo Jr. was ejected, arguing that Gaedele should have been called out. After a Guinn sacrifice bunt, Peterson used a sacrifice fly to plate Hedges, and make it a 5-4 Lugnuts lead. Travis Whitmore then pinch-hit for Tyler Stubblefield, delivering an infield single, putting runners on the corners with two down. Mike Gallic came to the plate with a chance to tie the game, but struck out, ending the game.

The TinCaps return home for the start of a four-game series against the Dayton Dragons on Saturday night. The scheduled starters are Matt Wisler for Fort Wayne and James Allen for Dayton.

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Midwest League Stories from August 17, 2012


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