MWL1 Fort Wayne TinCaps

TinCaps Win Another Thriller

Published on June 12, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


Fort Wayne, IN - For the second straight night, the Fort Wayne TinCaps worked extra innings to beat the Dayton Dragons. This time, Kevin Hansen hit a flare into left field to plate Robert Lara for a 5-4 win in 10 innings at Parkview Field. The Fort Wayne bullpen fired six scoreless innings to lead the way.

With the win, the TinCaps' winning streak reached seven games. It also cut the magic number to three. Any combination of Fort Wayne wins or Great Lakes losses totaling three or more would give Fort Wayne its first playoff berth since 2006. The Dragons took a lead in the top of the 2nd inning on Jake Long's two-run home run, his first of the year.

The TinCaps came right back with three runs in the bottom of the 2nd thanks in part to wildness by Dayton RHP J.C. Sulbaran. He walked Allan Dykstra and two batters later gave up a double to Hansen to put runners at second and third. Dean Anna walked to load the bases and Blake Tekotte followed with an RBI single to left.

Hansen tried to score from second, but was thrown out by Dayton left fielder Dave Sappelt. A walk to Drew Cumberland reloaded the bases and Jaff Decker took another free pass to force home a run and tie the game. A wild pitch allowed Tekotte to score and gave the TinCaps a 3-2 lead.

Dayton plated a pair in the top of the 4th on Kevin Coddington's two-out, two-run double which gave the Dragons a 4-3 advantage. Decker tied the game in the 6th when he capped a two-out rally with a bloop single to leftcenter to score Tekotte.

The TinCaps didn't have another hit until the 10th inning. With two out, Lara punched a double to left-center. Then, Hansen lofted a 2-2 pitch into shallow left to score Lara easily and win the game.

The Fort Wayne bullpen quartet of Colin Lynch, Alexis Lara, Eric Gonzalez and Zach Herr combined to fire six scoreless innings. Herr (4-2) picked up the win while Dayton RHP Jordan Hotchkiss (0-1) took the loss despite pitching 3.1 strong innings.

Fort Wayne improved to 39-22 and is now 10-0 against the Dragons. Dayton fell to 24-37.

The TinCaps and Dragons finish the four-game series Saturday at Parkview Field at 7:05pm. It is the final home game for the TinCaps until June 25th. Fort Wayne RHP Anthony Bass (4-3, 2.24 ERA) takes the ball opposite Dayton LHP Matt Fairel (4-2, 2.20 ERA) in a battle of Midwest League All-Stars.

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Midwest League Stories from June 12, 2009


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