Gore Sets Career High for Strikeouts

PEORIA, Ill. -- MacKenzie Gore set a new career high for strikeouts, but the TinCaps lost a pitchers' duel to the Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals), 2-1, on a sultry Sunday at Dozer Park.

Gore, the 19-year-old left-hander, struck out 10 batters in five innings. However, Peoria (13-9, 52-40) put up a run in the second and another in the third to take a 2-0 lead. Throwing 93 pitches (56 strikes), Gore limited the Chiefs to three hits. He also walked three. His previous season high for strikeouts was six. He fanned seven in a start in the Arizona League last Aug. 22.
Offensively, the TinCaps, who dropped their fourth in a row, continued to struggle with runners in scoring position. Fort Wayne (12-12, 44-49) out-hit Peoria, 5-4, but went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base. The 'Caps are 1-for-22 with runners in scoring position over the past three games.
The TinCaps scored their lone run in the sixth as second baseman Kelvin Melean was hit by a pitch and right fielder Tirso Ornelas doubled deep to center field to score him. Ornelas, 18, finished with a game-high three hits.  
After Gore, lefty Fred Schiltholz threw two scoreless innings of relief. Evan Miller pitched a perfect eighth.
Despite their skid, Fort Wayne remains tied atop the Midwest League's Eastern Division table (among the six teams vying for two second-half playoff spots).
Next Game
Monday, July 16 @ Peoria (12 p.m.)
- TinCaps Probable Starter: LHP Osvaldo Hernandez
- Chiefs Probable Starter: RHP Alvardo Seijas
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