MWL Fort Wayne TinCaps

TinCaps Finish Homestand with Win, Earn Series Split

Published on June 18, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


FORT WAYNE, Ind. - TinCaps starting pitcher Jairo Iriarte (No. 11 Padres prospect) tossed six quality innings with six strikeouts, and Fort Wayne edged the Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds affiliate), 2-1, in Sunday afternoon's series finale at Parkview Field. The 'Caps and Dragons split the six-game set.

The TinCaps are now 3-0-2 in their last five series, and 4-1-2 since the start of May.

Iriarte allowed just one earned run on four hits in his start. Reliever Nick Thwaits contributed a pair of shutout frames out of the bullpen, while Keegan Collett worked a perfect ninth with two punch outs to earn his third save this season. Fittingly on Father's Day, both Iriarte and Collett are dads.

Shortstop Jackson Merrill (No. 1 Padres prospect) pounded out three hits and narrowly missed out on a fourth, lining out to center in his last at-bat.

Fort Wayne scored first on catcher Brandon Valenzuela's (No. 30 Padres prospect) RBI double in the bottom of the fourth inning, which was part of his 2-for-4 day. First baseman Nathan Martorella (No. 23 Padres prospect) motored all the way around to score from first after a leadoff walk.

Dayton tied the contest in the top of the sixth, thanks to second baseman Tyler Callihan's (No. 29 Reds prospect) two-out RBI single.

But the TinCpas jumped back in front for good in the bottom of the sixth when designated hitter Juan Zabala hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Valenzuela from third and giving Fort Wayne a 2-1 lead.

The Dragons nearly equalized again in the top of the seventh inning. However, 'Caps left fielder Justin Farmer teamed with Valenzuela to throw out Mat Nelson at the plate as he tried to score from second base on a single by Yan Contreras with two outs.

Fort Wayne now embarks on a 12-game road trip, which starts Tuesday when the club travels to South Bend. The Midwest League standings reset after the conclusion of Thursday night's game, as the second half of the season begins on Friday.

Next Game: Tuesday, June 20 @ South Bend (7:05 p.m. ET)

TinCaps Probable Starter: RHP Jared Kollar

Dragons Probable Starter: RHP Luis Devers

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Midwest League Stories from June 18, 2023


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