TinCaps Move into Playoff Position, Conclude Regular Season Home Schedule
September 3, 2023 - Midwest League (MWL)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - TinCaps' starting pitcher Victor Lizarraga (No. 15 Padres prospect) fanned a career-high nine hitters, right fielder Tyler Robertson belted a solo home run, and Fort Wayne won its fifth straight over the South Bend Cubs, 2-0, in front of a sellout crowd of 7,343 fans Sunday night at Parkview Field to conclude the regular season home schedule.
The TinCaps now lead the West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers affiliate) by a half-game for the final Midwest League East Division playoff spot with six contests remaining in the regular season. After a day off Monday, Fort Wayne plays at Dayton Tuesday-Sunday.
The TinCaps return to first place in the second-half divisional standings for the first time since Aug. 10.
Fort Wayne (34-26 second half, 66-60 overall) won the final five games of the series, marking the first time the club has won five straight home games since Aug. 12-17, 2018. The TinCaps also clinched a winning half for the first time since 2017, and a .500-plus record overall for the first time since 2015.
Lizarraga didn't walk a batter and allowed just three hits across six shutout frames.
After Robertson's homer in the fourth, the TinCaps added an insurance run in the last of the seventh when first baseman Carlos Luis smacked an RBI double into the right-center gap with two outs, scoring second baseman Lucas Dunn from first. He was on via a two-out walk.
South Bend (22-37, 52-72) closes the regular season with six games at home against Quad Cities (KC) next week.
If Fort Wayne makes the playoffs, the team would battle the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate) in a three-game East Division Finals. The Loons qualified based off their first-half record.
Including Sunday, Parkview Field hosted 16 sellout crowds this season. The TinCaps rank third out of 60 Single-A and High-A clubs in average attendance (5,313 fans per home game), and are outdrawing 23 Double-A teams and nine in Triple-A.
This was the team's eighth shutout victor of the year. The 'Caps finished 35-31 at Parkview Field.
Next Game: Tuesday, Sept. 5 @ Dayton (7:05 p.m.)
TinCaps Probable Starter: RHP Edwuin Bencomo
Dragons Probable Starter: RHP Chris McElvain
Watch: Bally Live app | MiLB.TV | MLB.TV
Listen: 1380 The Fan & 100.9 FM | TinCaps.com
Midwest League Stories from September 3, 2023
- Iadisernia Plates Four, Chiefs' Magic Number Drops to Three - Peoria Chiefs
- Iadisernia Plates Four, Chiefs Drop Magic Number to Three - Peoria Chiefs
- TinCaps Move into Playoff Position, Conclude Regular Season Home Schedule - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Fort Wayne Finishes Series with 2-0 Shutout of Cubs - South Bend Cubs
- Nuts Crush Whitecaps in Home Finale, 19-9 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Kernels Score 12 Times Across the Final Four Innings, Top Lake County 12-0 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Wilken Leads Rattlers to Eighth Straight Win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dragons Win Series, Shutout Loons in Series Finale - Great Lakes Loons
- Sky Carp Finish 2023 Home Season - Beloit Sky Carp
- TinCaps Game Information: September 3 vs. South Bend Cubs - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Dragons Win 7-0, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive as Final Homestand Is Set to Start Tuesday - Dayton Dragons
- 'Caps Fall into First-Place Tie - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Dayton Dragons GameDay Notes for Sunday (1:05 PM at Great Lakes) - Dayton Dragons
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.
Other Recent Fort Wayne TinCaps Stories
- TinCaps Take Series in South Bend
- 'Caps Drop Saturday Matchup
- New Starter Dominates in Debut
- De Vries Extends Streaks in Loss
- 'Caps Stay Hot, Win Again
