RECAP: ‘Caps Fall, But Clinch Playoff Berth
Box Score DAYTON, Ohio –The TinCaps fell in their regular season finale Sunday afternoon to the Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds affiliate), 4-2, at Day Air Ballpark. But with West Michigan’s loss, Fort Wayne (37-29, 69-63) clinched its first playoff berth since 2017 as the Midwest League East Division second-half champions.
Box Score
*DAYTON, Ohio *–The TinCaps fell in their regular season finale Sunday afternoon to the Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds affiliate), 4-2, at Day Air Ballpark. But with West Michigan’s loss, Fort Wayne (37-29, 69-63) clinched its first playoff berth since 2017 as the Midwest League East Division second-half champions.
The TinCaps will host the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate) in Game 1 of the best-of-three Midwest League East Division Championship Series on *Tuesday (6:35 p.m. first pitch) *at Parkview Field.
Click here to purchase tickets. Great Lakes finished in first place in the first half.
That moment when you clinch…#Playoffs pic.twitter.com/9RJb0vhshA
— Fort Wayne TinCaps (@TinCaps) September 11, 2023
After a day off Wednesday, Game 2 will be held in Midland, Mich., on Thursday. If necessary, the Loons would also host Game 3 on Friday.
On Sunday, Fort Wayne starting pitcherVictor Lizarraga(No. 15 Padres prospect) impressed, tossing six shutout innings while fanning six.
The TinCaps (37-29 second half, 69-63 overall) scored first when catcherColton Bendersingled to left field with two outs in the second inning, driving in first basemanGriffin Doersching.
In the fifth, Fort Wayne added to the lead. Second basemanNerwilian Cedeño(No. 27 Padres prospect) hit a ground ball up the middle, scoring right fielderTyler Robertson. The ‘Caps led through five innings, 2-0.
Dayton (34-32, 67-65) rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth, highlighted by a go-ahead two-run triple by left fielder*Hector Rodriguez *(No. 16 Reds prospect).
Meanwhile, West Michigan fell at home to Great Lakes, 4-1.
🚨PLAYOFF BOUND🚨
— Fort Wayne TinCaps (@TinCaps) September 10, 2023
Tickets on sale now: https://t.co/YLRbxfv4ov
See you Tuesday at Parkview Field! pic.twitter.com/XXUujzmbFJ
Next Game: Tuesday, Sept. 12 vs. Great Lakes (6:35 p.m.)
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