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MWL Fort Wayne TinCaps

Unscripted Drama on TV Sitcom Night

July 8, 2022 - Midwest League (MWL)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


‚¬â€¹FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- There was unscripted drama at Parkview Field on TV Sitcom Night. The Fort Wayne TinCaps overcame an 8-0 deficit to force extra innings, but ultimately fell to the Lake County Captains (Cleveland Guardians affiliate), 11-10, in 13 innings.

On a night when actor Leslie David Baker, who played Stanley Hudson on The Office, was a special guest, TinCaps center fielder Robert Hassell III played like a star. The top-rated Padres prospect, who's been selected to play in MLB's All-Star Futures Game in Los Angeles on July 16, went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning, three walks, and four RBIs.

Hassell's home run capped off a six-run frame. It was his team-leading ninth of the season. Meanwhile, he raised his season batting average to a Midwest League-best .310.

But Fort Wayne (2-9, 29-48) had fallen behind by eight midway through the game as Lake County (6-5, 41-36) put up five runs in the third and three more in the fifth.

Hassell's two-run double in the home fifth put the 'Caps on the board. However, the Captains increased their lead to 9-2 in the sixth when shortstop Angel Martinez, a top-10 Guardians prospect, homered on the 11th pitch of his at-bat. That was the third longball of the night for the visitors.

TinCaps catcher Adam Kerner hit an RBI double in the sixth that made it 9-3, before the home team rallied in the eighth. DH Jack Stronach delivered an RBI single, while Kerner added a two-run single, and shortstop Max Ferguson provided a sacrifice fly to set things up for Hassell's heroics.

Neither side scored in the 10th inning. Each side plated a run in the 11th. Both went scoreless again in the 12th.

In the 13th, Lake County's center fielder Petey Halpin hit an RBI double.

Luis Madrazo and Ethan Routzahn each threw two scoreless innings for the 'Caps. Edwuin Bencomo didn't allow an earned run over the final three innings either, lowering his season ERA to 2.60.

The game took 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Since Minor League Baseball instituted having extra-inning frames begin with a runner at second base in 2018, this marked the first time Fort Wayne played a game beyond 12 innings. The team's last 13-inning game came on June 6, 2017 -- also against Lake County. The last TinCaps game to elapse 4 hours and 15 minutes was April 17, 2017 against West Michigan.

Next Game: Friday, July 8 vs. Lake County (7:05 p.m.)

Fort Wayne Probable Starter: RHP Efraín Contreras (No. 19 Padres prospect)

Lake County Probable Starter: RHP Mason Hickman

Watch: Comcast Network 81 | MiLB.TV Listen: 1380 The Fan & 100.9 FM | TinCapsRadio.com

Tickets: TinCapsTickets.com

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Midwest League Stories from July 8, 2022


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