Inciarte scores on wild pitch, Hawks win in extras

SOUTH BEND - Ender Inciarte scored on James Needy's wild pitch in the 11th inning and the South Bend Silver Hawks (25-23) defeated the Fort Wayne TinCaps 4-3 Friday in front of 4,108 fans at Coveleski Stadium. The Silver Hawks salvaged a game in the three-game series and pulled back into a three-way tie for second place with Bowling Green and Great Lakes.

D.J. Johnson (2-2) worked a scoreless top of the 11th and earned the win for South Bend. Needy was saddled with his first loss, allowing an earned run - the game-winner - on two hits and a wild pitch.

Inciarte started the 11th-inning rally with a one-out base hit and reached second on a balk by Needy. Chris Ellison was walked intentionally, putting runners on first and second with two men down for Ryan Court. Inciarte stole third and Ellison swiped second before Inciarte scored the game-winner on Needy's wild pitch. It was the Silver Hawks only lead of the entire series.

The Silver Hawks trailed 3-0 entering the seventh inning but scored three runs on three hits against right-hander Justin Hancock. Roidany Aguila singled in a pair of runs and Inciarte added an RBI single through the right side to tie the game.

Archie Bradley started for South Bend and got a no decision, allowing three-earned runs on four hits over five inning. TinCaps starter Adys Portillo carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning but Ellison broke it up with a two-out single. Portillo got a no decision, tossing six scoreless innings of one-hit baseball.

The TinCaps scored all three of their runs in the third inning. Jace Peterson doubled in a run and Casey McElroy singled in two to give the TinCaps the early lead.

The Silver Hawks had a few chances to win the game earlier. Marc Bourgeois lined out with the bases loaded in the eighth inning and Court struck out with the winning run in scoring position in the ninth inning. The Silver Hawks left 10 men on base during the game.

Inciarte paced South Bend offensively, finishing 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.

Seth Simmons worked three scoreless innings out of the Silver Hawks bullpen - the right-hander struck out a game-high five TinCaps. Matt Sample worked two innings and did not allow a run, lowering his ERA to 2.18.

The Silver Hawks are 5-1 in extra inning games and have five walk-off wins at Coveleski Stadium in 2012.

TinCaps Field Manager Jose Valentin was ejected for arguing in the 11th inning.

The Silver Hawks begin a four-game series Saturday against the Great Lakes Loons at Dow Diamond. Left-hander John Pedrotty (1-3, 5.85) starts for South Bend and he will be opposed by righty Gustavo Gomez (4-3, 3.80). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. EST.