MWL Fort Wayne TinCaps

TinCaps Game Information: August 11 vs. South Bend

Published on August 11, 2021 under Midwest League (MWL)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


Fort Wayne TinCaps (40-45) vs. South Bend Cubs (38-46)

Wednesday, Aug. 11 (7:05 p.m.) | Parkview Field | Fort Wayne, Ind. | Game 2 of 6 in Series | Home Game 44 of 60 | Game 86 of 120

LHP Noel Vela (9.00 ERA) vs. RHP Max Bain (6.41 ERA)

TV: Comcast Network 81 & MiLB.TV (John Nolan & Jack McMullen) | Radio: 1380 The Fan & 100.9 FM / TinCapsRadio.com (Mike Maahs)

LAST GAME: The TinCaps had their 3-game winning streak snapped in a 6-2 loss to the Cubs. Fort Wayne got out to a 2-0 lead, initially fueled by a Tirso Ornelas solo homer in the first.

SWAGG CHAIN: With Tirso Ornelas' home run Tuesday night, the TinCaps debuted their new "swagg chain," inspired by their parent club, the Padres. The spinning swagg chain features the team's apple logo blinged out with holo sequins, glitter paper, bling ribbon, gold beads, and a metal chain. Inside is an ABEC-7 bearing that spins freely, with a magnet to ensure the logo is straight when it stops spinning. It was designed by Padres super-fans Roy and Angela Thomasson. They also created similar swagg chains for San Diego's other Minor League Baseball affiliates. Angela owns Three Elle Creations, a San Diego-based business that otherwise specializes in custom wreaths and floral home décor items.

PITCHING IMPROVING: Over their last 29 games, since July 9, TinCaps pitchers have the lowest ERA in all of 30 teams High-A at 3.37, as the team has gone 16-13. (Over their first 56 games, they ranked 10th out of 12 in High-A Central at 5.26, and had a 24-32 record.) Fort Wayne pitchers have done this despite having the fewest strikeouts in the league during the stretch (258 in 251 innings). But in this time, 'Caps pitchers have yielded the fewest home runs in High-A (15).

FAMILIAR FOES: South Bend's starter Tuesday, Anderson Espinoza, was a TinCap until he was traded by the Padres to the Cubs on July 30... Cubs minor league outfield / baserunning coordinator Doug Dascenzo is also with South Bend. Dascenzo managed Fort Wayne from 2007-09, leading the TinCaps to the 2009 Midwest League title.

NEW CUBS PROSPECTS: Espinoza isn't the only new South Bend player acquired at the trade deadline. The Cubs also have first baseman Bryce Ball (from the Braves for Joc Pederson), outfielder Alexander Canario (from the Giants as part of the Kris Bryant deal), and pitcher Alexander Vizcaíno (from the Yankees as part of the Anthony Rizzo deal). Bailey Horn, acquired from the White Sox for Ryan Tepera, is on the IL.

DOUBLES LEADER: As a team, the TinCaps lead the HAC in doubles with 164. Individually, outfielder Tirso Ornelas leads the league in 2B with 25.

PATIENT APPROACH: The TinCaps trail only Wisconsin in the HAC in free passes (walks and hit by pitches), averaging more than 5 per game. Fort Wayne is walking in about 12% of its plate appearances. The rest of the league has walked at a 10% rate. For more context, the Yankees lead MLB in BB% (10.7%). The Padres rank 3rd (10%).

STEALING HISTORY: Last Wednesday at Great Lakes, outfielder Grant Little set Fort Wayne's single-game franchise stolen base record with 5. The previous mark was 4, set by Jeremy Owens on April 28, 1999. Through the first 155 games of his MiLB career, Little had never stolen more than 2 bases in a game.

REY RUNS: Reinaldo Ilarraza ranks 5th in the HAC in stolen bases (27).

CLOSE CALLS: The TinCaps are 12-6 in games decided by 1 run, and 7-9 in 2-run games... The 'Caps are 3-1 in extra-innings.

260 TO THE SHOW: 52 former Fort Wayne players have appeared in the big leagues so far this season, including All-Stars Fernando Tatis Jr. and Trea Turner. Since the franchise was founded in 1993, a total of 197 past players have ascended to The Show.

MiLB RELIEF: After losing the entirety of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season and having attendance limited to begin 2021, the TinCaps and other teams are asking fans to visit MinorLeagueBaseballRelief.com and tell Congress to support the bipartisan Minor League Baseball Relief Act.

Check out the Fort Wayne TinCaps Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from August 11, 2021


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