TinCaps ReCap: Fort Wayne Completes Comeback
Box Score FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A sellout crowd of 7,197 at Parkview Field watched the Fort Wayne TinCaps complete their 30th come-from-behind win of the season on Friday night, taking down the Dayton Dragons (Reds affiliate), 9-6. For the third straight game, Dayton (63-59, 24-32) struck first. Following a
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A sellout crowd of 7,197 at Parkview Field watched the Fort Wayne TinCaps complete their 30th come-from-behind win of the season on Friday night, taking down the Dayton Dragons (Reds affiliate), 9-6.
For the third straight game, Dayton (63-59, 24-32) struck first. Following a single by John Michael Faile, an error in left field brought home Ty Doucette to get the Dragons on the board.
Doucette's base hit to reach gives him a hit in nine straight games. He added two more walks to end the night.
Left fielder Jacob Friend extended the Dragons' lead in the second inning with his 11th home run of the season, a solo home run to center field.
In the bottom of the second, Fort Wayne (51-71, 24-32) tied the game after the first four batters of the inning reached base. Yoiber Ocopio put the 'Caps on the board with an RBI single to left field before Ryan Gerety recorded his first professional hit with an RBI single to right field. Gerety reached base in all four plate appearances, going 3-for-3 with a pair of singles, a double, and a walk.
In the third, the Dragons took the lead back with a solo home run by Faile. His 11th home run of the season and 28th of his Dragons career, Faile is two shy of a Dayton club record.
Fort Wayne answered once again with a two-run fifth, taking the lead for the first time on the night. Following a leadoff double by Kasen Wells, an RBI hustle double by Dylan Grego, and an RBI single by Robbie Lavey (No. 20 Padres prospect), Fort Wayne took a 4-3 lead.
The Dragons immediately returned the favor with a three-run top of the sixth, taking the lead back. Following a single to right field by Alfredo Alcantara, an errant throw back to first base to cut him off brought home Jacob Friend to tie the game. Two batters later, shortstop Justin Lebron (No. 3 prospect) launched a two-run, go-ahead home run to left field. Lebron's sixth home run in 15 games with the Dragons gives this season's 18th overall pack 12 RBI. He now extends his hitting streak to six games.
The 'Caps took the lead for good in the seventh inning, sending all nine batters to the plate and scoring four runs. Wells reached to begin the inning on a three-base error before scoring on a two-out RBI double by Kerrington Cross. Ten games into this homestand, Cross is hitting .361 with three doubles, a home run, and a .953 OPS.
Cross scored a batter later to tie the game on an error by third baseman Tyson Lewis (No. 5 Reds prospect). Following a double by Ocopio, Yimy Tovar delivered the deciding blow with a two-run single to left field to give the 'Caps an 8-6 lead.
The next inning, Fort Wayne capped their scoring with an RBI single by Lavey, pushing the lead to 9-6.
The Fort Wayne bullpen would not allow a single baserunner, retiring the final 11 batters of the ballgame. Brandon Langley earned his first High-A win following two scoreless innings, striking out three. Jeferson Villabona secured his first High-A save, retiring the side in the ninth with back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.
Next Game: Saturday, August 29 vs. Dayton (6:35 p.m.)
- TinCaps Probable Starter: RHP Kannon Kemp (No. 13 Padres prospect)
- Dragons Probable Starter: RHP Mason Morris
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