ReCap: Valenzuela, Komar Star in Series Opener
Box Score By Ben Shulman FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps were downed by the Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals affiliate), 3-1, on Tuesday night at Parkview Field. TinCaps catcher Brandon Valenzuela picked up two hits in the effort, his third multi-hit performance in the last
By Ben Shulman
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps were downed by the Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals affiliate), 3-1, on Tuesday night at Parkview Field. TinCaps catcher Brandon Valenzuela picked up two hits in the effort, his third multi-hit performance in the last eight games. Reliever Brandon Komar shined on the mound, striking out seven in 3 and 1/3 no-hit innings.
The catcher’s first knock came in the first inning. Jarryd Dale, batting in the leadoff spot for the first time this season, started the frame with a walk. Three batters later, Dale got a running start with two outs on a 3-2 pitch to Valenzuela. As Dale raced second base, Valenzuela lined a ball over the runner’s head and into right-center field. Dale raced all the way home from first on the single to make it 2-1 Quad Cities at the end of the first.
Valenzuela’s second hit came in the latter stages of the game. The backstop from Mexico smacked a ball over the head of River Bandits shortstop Tyler Tolbert and into left-center field to lead off the seventh. Matthew Acosta replaced him on the bases and made it to third before being stranded. The TinCaps trailed 3-1 after seven.
Fort Wayne starter Jackson Wolf was solid, tossing 5 and 2/3 innings and allowing three runs. Wolf struck out a professional career-high eight batters, with his curveball being the most frequent put-away pitch.
The second, reliever Brandon Komar, nearly matched Wolf’s strikeouts. Komar diced up the River Bandits lineup with his changeup, fanning four batters in a row at one point and facing just one over the minimum. The Wisconsinite hasn't allowed a run over his last 7 and 2/3 innings pitched. Komar repeatedly started Quad Cities batters with first pitch strikes, helping the game move at a torrid pace. The contest took only 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Next Game: Wednesday, May 25 vs. Quad Cities (6:35 p.m.)
- Fort Wayne Probable Starter: LHP Noel Vela
- Quad Cities Probable Starter: LHP Cade Monke
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