RECAP: 'Caps Squander Chances at Dayton

DAYTON, Ohio -- In their penultimate game of the season, the TinCaps had a bevy of baserunners, but fell to the Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds affiliate), 8-5, on Saturday night at Day Air Ballpark.

Fort Wayne (54-65) was 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position (.176), leaving 14 runners on base. The 'Caps also had a runner caught stealing.

Meanwhile, Dayton (64-55) was 5-for-8 in those situations, with only three left on.

The Dragons jumped out to a 4-0 lead with three runs in the first and another in the third.

The TinCaps cut their deficit in half in the fourth. Left fielder Angel Solarte walked, center fielder Reinaldo Ilarraza tripled him in, and shortstop Euribiel Angeles added an RBI single.

But just after that, the home side expanded its lead with a four-run bottom of the fourth.

Trailing 8-2, Fort Wayne attempted to rally with a single run in each of the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings.

Ilarraza had a game-high three hits, plus his 38th stolen base of the season. He's tied for the third most stolen bases in High-A Central.

While the Dragons had a 10-8 advantage in hits, the 'Caps drew 11 walks and also had a runner reach on an error.

Fort Wayne has lost the first five games of the series.

Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 19 @ Dayton (2:09 p.m.)

• Fort Wayne Probable Starter: RHP Connor Lehmann
• Dayton Probable Starter: RHP Christian Roa

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