TinCaps Show Resilience in Series Finale Win

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The TinCaps responded to early runs from the Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds) to pull out a 7-6 victory at Parkview Field on Sunday afternoon. With its second consecutive victory, Fort Wayne bested Dayton in the three-game series and wrapped up a successful homestand with a 4-2 record.

After back-and-forth scoring, Fort Wayne (6-11) took a lead that would stand for good in the bottom of the sixth inning. Second baseman Reinaldo Ilarraza led off the inning with a line drive single to right field. Dragons right fielder Michael Beltre misplayed the ball on a hop, allowing it to roll to the wall. While Ilarraza raced to third, Beltre committed a second error on a throw to the infield that ended in left field. Ilarrazza ran home to score, capping a wild play that put the TinCaps ahead, 7-6.
Dayton (9-5) had started the scoring in the top of the third inning. With Miles Gordon on second after a single and stolen base, Montrell Marshall ripped a double to left-center field to give the Dragons the 1-0 advantage. Dayton added two more runs in the inning on a two-run single by John Sansone.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, it was the Dragons defensive woes that allowed the TinCaps to tie the game, 3-3.
With designated hitter Luis Campusano at second after reaching on an error and first baseman Carlos Belen on first after a walk, catcher Juan Fernandez grounded a ball to shortstop Jose Garcia who attempted to throw to third for the force out, but the ball went wide of the third baseman Sansone, scoring Campusano and giving the TinCaps their first run of the day.
Right fielder Jack Suwinski brought another run home on an RBI fielder's choice and Ilarraza tied the game, 3-3, with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Dayton took the lead again, however, in the top of the fifth inning, capitalizing on a Fort Wayne error and wild pitch.
The Dragons lead set up for another response by the TinCaps. Belen grounded an RBI single to left field to score third baseman Esteury Ruiz .
Fort Wayne took its first lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. With Belen and left fielder Tirso Ornelas on base, Fernandez laced a double down the left-field line to score both runners and give the TinCaps a 6-5 edge.
Dayton tied the game yet again in the top of the sixth, only to see Fort Wayne push back in front on the Ilarraza play in the ensuing frame.
Jared Carkuff came out of the bullpen to give the TinCaps a tremendous performance, going 3 1/3 innings, while only allowing two hits and no runs to earn the win.
Next Game
Monday, April 23 @ Great Lakes Loons (6:05 p.m.)
- TinCaps Probable Starter: LHP Nick Margevicius
- Loons Probable Starter: TBA
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