Federowicz Makes TinCaps Debut

Padres Catcher Doubles, Drives in Run in Rehab Appearance

By John Nolan

July 12, 2015

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- The TinCaps fell, 8-3, to the Great Lakes Loons on Sunday afternoon at Parkview Field. San Diego Padres catcher Tim Federowicz went 1-for-4 with a double and RBI as the designated hitter in the first game of his rehab assignment.

Great Lakes (7-11, 45-41) raced out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. After Alex Santana doubled in the game's first run against Chris Huffman (L, 3-5), Dodgers first base prospect Justin Chigbogu launched an opposite-field three-run homer to left -- his third home run in as many games this series.

Fort Wayne (11-7, 43-43) got a run back in the home first thanks to the big leaguer. The 27-year-old Federowicz (pronounced FED-er-oh-vich) pulled a double off the left-field fence to score shortstop Luis Urias, who led off with a double.

Federowicz, who tore the meniscus in his right knee during Spring Training and had surgery in March, struck out in his final three at-bats. He's expected to stay with the TinCaps for the remainder of their homestand, which runs through Friday. Prior to Sunday, the TinCaps had never had a Padres player rehab with them at Parkview Field.

The big leaguer's RBI double was the only run Fort Wayne scored off Loons starter Pablo Fernandez, a 25-year-old from Cuba who made his Midwest League debut. Meanwhile, Santana launched a three-run homer of his own in the fifth to put Great Lakes up 7-1.

Kevin Guzman (W, 5-7) replaced Fernandez in the fifth. Center fielder Michael Gettys drew a bases-loaded walk that inning to cut the TinCaps' deficit to 7-2.

Later in the seventh, Urias delivered an RBI single that made it 7-3. Great Lakes, however, added another run in the ninth to go back up by five.

This marks the first time since June 16-17 that Fort Wayne has lost back-to-back games.

The TinCaps and Loons conclude their four-game series on Monday night at 7:05. Right-hander Ernesto Montas (8-5, 3.21) is set to start against righty Grant Holmes (4-1, 2.94). The game can be heard on ESPN Radio 1380, TinCaps.com, and the TuneIn Radio app, and viewed on Comcast Network 81.