MWL1 Fort Wayne TinCaps

TinCaps Game Notes: April 9 vs. Lansing (Game 5)

Published on April 9, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


Fort Wayne TinCaps vs. Lansing Lugnuts

LHP Tom Cosgrove vs. RHP Maverik Buffo

Monday, April 9 - Parkview Field - First Pitch 7:05 p.m. (Game 5)

LISTEN: ESPN Radio 1380 & 100.9 FM / TinCapsRadio.com / TuneIn

WATCH: Comcast Network 81

YESTERDAY: The TinCaps were swept in what was essentially a doubleheader against the Lake County Captains (Indians) at Parkview Field. The two sides completed their game from Friday night in Northeast Ohio that was suspended after three innings due to snow, and then played a 7-inning affair. The TinCaps had jumped out to a 6-1 lead on Friday, and led 6-2 at the point of suspension, only to see the Captains rally on Sunday. Lake County wound up winning 10-8 as the visitors (well, they were technically the home team in this one) scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to erase their 8-7 deficit. The 7-inning game was a rout, as Lake County prevailed, 12-1.

ALMOST HAD 'EM: In two of their four losses, the TinCaps led most of the way. On opening night, Fort Wayne didn't trail until Lake County walked off, 3-2, in the ninth (the TinCaps had been in front from the fourth inning). Then in the Friday/Sunday game, Fort Wayne led after its turn at bat in every frame until the ninth (and even then, the TinCaps had the tying runs in scoring position in the ninth).

DID YOU KNOW: Sunday marked the 44th anniversary of Hank Aaron hitting his then-record-setting 715th home run. (Aaron finished his career with 755 homers only since surpassed by Barry Bonds with 762.) Aaron had eight career plate appearances against TinCaps pitching coach Burt Hooton. Aaron was 0-for-5 vs. Hoot, although he did walk three times and was intentionally walked once. Hooton pitched in the majors from 1971-85. Aaron's career spanned from 1954-76; he was an NL All-Star every year from '55-75. Hooton's one NL All-Star appearance came in 1981.

LAST YEAR: After having the worst record in the Midwest League in the first half of the season, the TinCaps had their largest half-to-half turnaround in franchise history and reached the Midwest League Championship Series. (Fort Wayne beat Bowling Green, 2-0, in their first round series, then defeated Dayton, 2-1, before being swept by Quad Cities.)

PARKVIEW FIELD'S 10th SEASON: The TinCaps moved into this ballpark in 2009 and are now set to complete a decade downtown.

WHO'S BACK: The TinCaps have 9 players on their roster who've played in the Midwest League before (8 from last year's roster plus Carlos Belen from 2016). Fort Wayne manager Anthony Contreras is back for his third season with the club, while pitching coach Burt Hooton is in his sixth year (franchise record). Fielding coach Jhonny Carvajal is in his second year.

TO BE YOUNG AGAIN: The TinCaps had the youngest roster in the MWL last year (average TinCaps' age in 2017 was 20; league average 21) and are even younger this season. Fort Wayne features the 3 youngest players in the league: Justin Lopez (17), Tirso Ornelas (18), and Gabriel Arias (18). The TinCaps have 11 teenagers on their roster.

WE'RE No. 1: According to MLB.com, the Padres have the No. 1 ranked farm system in baseball. The TinCaps boast 7 "Top 30" San Diego prospects (see list on right).

260 TO THE SHOW: 23 Fort Wayne alums have played in the bigs so far this season (159 have reached the majors in the franchise's history).

Check out the Fort Wayne TinCaps Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from April 9, 2018


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