Ruiz, Lopez Homer in Road Loss
May 26, 2021 - Midwest League (MWL)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - 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
Listen: 1380 The Fan & 100.9 FM | TinCapsRadio.com
Midwest League Stories from May 26, 2021
- Timber Rattlers Strike Late in Shutout Win - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Banfield Drives In Four As Snappers Beat Chiefs 6-4 - Beloit Sky Carp
- Cubs Rally Late to Win Fifth Straight - South Bend Cubs
- Rattlers Late Breakthrough Beats Kernels 5-0 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Loons Get Back on Track in Lansing - Great Lakes Loons
- Quad Cities Launches Five Homers; Blows out Dragons 15-5 - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Bandits Break Open Tie Game in 6th, Top Dragons 15-5 - Dayton Dragons
- Loons Strike Early to Top Lugnuts, 5-2 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Hits Pile Up and Pitching Impresses, But TinCaps Fall - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Captains Two-Hit Whitecaps, Lose 1-0 Balk-Off - Lake County Captains
- Statement on Tuesday's Game from the South Bend Cubs - South Bend Cubs
- TinCaps Game Information: May 26 at South Bend - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Enlow, Wallner Moved to Injured List - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Dayton Dragons Announce Transactions - Dayton Dragons
- First of Eight Wednesday Bark in the Park Timber Rattlers Events for 2021 Is June 2 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dragons to Recognize Community All-Stars Recipient May 27th - Dayton Dragons
- Baker Mayfield Confirmed for Landry Softball Game - Lake County Captains
- Dayton Dragons GameDay Notes for Wednesday - Dayton Dragons
- Cubs Overcome 7-0 Deficit, Top Fort Wayne 12-10 - South Bend Cubs
- Ruiz, Lopez Homer in Road Loss - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Chiefs Hold off Late Rally to Secure 11-10 Win - Peoria Chiefs
- Snappers Late Comeback Falls Short, Lose to Chiefs 11-10 - Beloit Sky Carp
- Lugnuts Erupt in 8th to Double up Loons, 10-5 - Lansing Lugnuts
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
