MWL1 Fort Wayne TinCaps

TinCaps Win 3-2 in Extras

Published on May 4, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


Comstock Park, Mich. - The Fort Wayne TinCaps won by a 3-2 final in 12 innings on Friday night against the West Michigan Whitecaps a Fifth Third Ballpark. Austin Hedges provided the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning to lift the TinCaps to the win.

Fort Wayne (11-17) was held hitless for a long stretch to begin the night for the second straight game. It wasn't until the fourth inning where TinCaps catcher Austin Hedges picked up the first hit of the game for Fort Wayne. West Michigan (14-14) got off to an equally slow start, notching three hits over the first four frames against TinCaps starter Joe Ross. The scoreless tie was broken in the fifth on an RBI triple by West Michigan's Chad Wright. In the sixth, the Whitecaps scored on a disputed play. With one out, Jason King lifted a fly ball to left field that bounced off the warning track, as replays would show. The call was initially ruled a home run, and Fort Wayne Manager Jose Valentin emerged from the dugout to argue that the ball should have been ruled a ground rule double. The umpiring crew of Alex Tosi and John Libka converged, but still ruled a home run for King. Valentin was ejected from the game while arguing the call. The home run for King made it 2-0 in favor of West Michigan.

In the eighth, still down 2-0, Fort Wayne had Austin Hedges and Clark Murphy aboard with one out when Corey Adamson stepped to the plate. The outfielder hit a chopper back to the mound, which was fielded by pitcher Warwick Saupold. The righthander's errant throw sailed right of first base and down the line, allowing Hedges and Murphy to score, tying the game at two.

Justin Hancock worked two scoreless innings of relief behind Ross, who went six innings, allowed seven hits, two earned runs, walked one and struck out seven. In the ninth Matt Stites (1-0) emerged for his first of three perfect frames. In nine appearances this year, Stites has allowed just three hits, no runs, no walks and struck out 15.

It was in the top of the 12th, with runners at first and third, when Austin Hedges lifted a long foul fly down the left field line. West Michigan left fielder Jason Krizan caught the ball in foul territory, allowing Travis Whitmore to tag up and score the go ahead run, making it 3-2.

Robert Eisenbach pitched the ninth and earned a save for the TinCaps. The loss fell on the shoulders of West Michigan's Nick Avila (1-1).

Fort Wayne travels to Dayton, Ohio to begin a four-game series with the Dayton Dragons on Saturday night. The scheduled starters are Matt Wisler for the TinCaps, and lefty Tanner Robles for the Dragons. First pitch is set for 7:07 PM.

Check out the Fort Wayne TinCaps Statistics

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