MWL1 Fort Wayne TinCaps

Jankowski's Heroics Deliver Walk-Off Win

Published on July 14, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Travis Jankowski's bases-loaded walk-off single Saturday night completed a two-run comeback in the bottom of the ninth for the Fort Wayne TinCaps, as they defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-3. Jankowski and Lee Orr each finished the game with two runs batted in.

Fort Wayne (12-10) struggled to create offense all night, picking up just five hits over the first eight innings against Timber Rattlers starter Chad Pierce. The righty topped his prior career-high of six innings by falling one frame shy of a complete game. The TinCaps notched single runs in the second and fifth, but still trailed 3-2 after five innings.

Wisconsin (11-11, 55-36) scored once in the first and once in the second to take a 2-1 lead at the end of two innings against Fort Wayne starter Matt Wisler. The Bryan, Ohio, native departed after 4 1/3 innings, and gave up three runs on five hits, walking two and striking out five. James Needy provided effective relief behind Wisler, tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

The TinCaps managed just two base runners from the sixth to the eighth inning. Daniel Cropper (4-1) followed Needy, retiring the side in the eighth and the ninth, setting the stage for the walk-off victory.

The Fort Wayne ninth began with a double to the left field corner off the bat of Duanel Jones, as he faced new pitcher Kevin Shackelford (0-1). Austin Hedges followed with a single, as did Lee Orr, whose single plated Jones, tying the game at three. It was the first hit for Orr since June 28th. Kyle Gaedele then laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Hedges to third and Jones to second. The Timber Rattlers elected to intentionally walk Tyler Stubblefield and face Jankowski with the bases loaded and one out.

The outfielder, in just his 15th game with Fort Wayne, laced a single under the glove of first baseman Mike Garza and into right field, scoring Hedges and helping the TinCaps snap a two-game slide.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 3:05 PM. The scheduled starters are Cody Hebner for Fort Wayne and David Goforth for Wisconsin.

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