MWL Fort Wayne TinCaps

TinCaps Game Information: September 12 vs. Lansing

September 12, 2021 - Midwest League (MWL)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


Fort Wayne TinCaps (53-60) vs. Lansing Lugnuts (54-59)

Sunday, Sept. 12 (1:05 p.m.) | Parkview Field | Fort Wayne, Ind. | Game 6 of 6 in Series | Home Game 60 of 60 | Game 114 of 120

RHP Felix Minjarez (4.57 ERA) vs. RHP Kyle Virbitsky (3.09 ERA)

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

LAST NIGHT: The TinCaps rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Lugnuts, 9-6. Fort Wayne broke a 12-inning scoreless drought with 6 runs in the fourth, highlighted by a go-ahead 3-run homer by Robert Hassell III. That was 1 of 15 'Caps hits, while the team's pitchers recorded 15 strikeouts.

PACKING PARKVIEW FIELD: Saturday's crowd of 7,226 fans marked the 11th sell-out of the season for the TinCaps. It was the 3rd largest crowd here this year. It was also the 5th largest crowd out of all 60 in Minor League Baseball last night, including the largest for any Single-A club.

PITCHING PROGRESS: Over their last 59 games since July 7, TinCaps pitchers have the 2nd lowest ERA out of all 30 teams in High-A (3.84), as the team has gone 30-29. In this stretch, 'Caps pitchers also have allowed the fewest home runs in High-A: 29. Over their first 54 games, they ranked 9th/12 in High-A Central at 5.25 and had a 23-31 mark.

DOUBLES LEADER: As a team, the TinCaps rank 2nd in the HAC in doubles with 204. Individually, outfielder Tirso Ornelas leads the league in 2B with 30, while infielder Justin Lopez ranks 6th with 23.

PATIENT APPROACH: The TinCaps lead the HAC in free passes (walks and hit by pitches), averaging about 5 per game. Fort Wayne is walking in approximately 12% of its plate appearances. The rest of the league has walked at a 10% rate... For context, the Yankees lead MLB in BB% (10.4%). The Padres rank 2nd (10%)... Outfielder Tirso Ornelas has the 4th lowest swing & miss rate in the league, swinging & missing at only about 8% of pitches seen.

THE MORE, THE MERRIER: The TinCaps have utilized 57 players over the course of the season (27 position players, 30 pitchers). Fort Wayne used 58 players over the course of 140 games in 2019. The franchise record is 63 in 2016.

HASSELL'S HISTORIC HOMERS: On Sept. 1 @ Great Lakes, in just his 3rd game with the TinCaps since being called up from Low-A Lake Elsinore, Padres No. 3 prospect Robert Hassell III became just the 3rd player in Fort Wayne's 28-season franchise history to hit 3 home runs in a game. The recently-turned 20-year-old joined Jonathan Galvez, a second baseman who homered 3 times at Parkview Field on July 22, 2010, against Peoria, and Jon Benick, who first accomplished the feat on July 3, 2002, against Quad Cities.

ANGELES HIGHLIGHTS: Euribiel Angeles was leading Low-A in batting at .343 when he was called up from Lake Elsinore on Aug. 28. At 19, he's the 2nd youngest hitter in the HAC... On Wednesday he was selected with the 12th overall pick (2nd round) in the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) Draft by the Toros del Este. Last winter their roster featured Gary Sanchez, Miguel Andujar, Domingo German, Sixto Sanchez, and Yasiel Puig.

TIRSO TURNS IT UP: Outfielder Tirso Ornelas has hits safely in 11 consecutive starts. In fact, in 16 games since Aug. 25, he's batting .362 with a .448 OBP and .965 OPS. His season average has jumped from .216 to .240.

LOPEZ LOCKS IN: Over his last 22 games, since Aug. 13, infielder Justin Lopez has hit .305 with an .800 OPS (7 doubles, 2 HR) and 20 RBIs. For the season, his 63 RBIs rank 7th in the HAC.

GIVIN GETS AROUND: Chris Givin is making his 11th start for the 'Caps this year at first base. He's also started 22 at shortstop, 16 at second, and 5 at third.

LOOK OUT: Lugnuts pitchers have hit the 2nd most batters in the HAC (83). For the 'Caps, Ripken Reyes has been hit 8 times through 13 games here and Euribiel Angeles 4 times in 11.

REY RUNS: Reinaldo Ilarraza is tied for 3rd in the HAC in stolen bases (37).

CLOSE CALLS: The TinCaps are 15-9 in games decided by 1 run, and 10-15 in 2-run games... The 'Caps are 4-2 in extra-innings.

Check out the Fort Wayne TinCaps Statistics



Midwest League Stories from September 12, 2021


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.

OurSports Central