Sampson perfect, TinCaps win 2-1
Sampson retired all 18 batters he faced, ten via the strikeout to pick up the win on a cold and rainy night in downtown Fort Wayne. He struck out the side in the first, fourth and fifth innings. RHPs Chase Marona and Yefri Carvajal worked scoreless innings and Adam Dominick held on to notch the save.
The TinCaps jumped ahead in the second inning. Wes Cunningham drew a leadoff walk and stole second. One pitch later, Medica grounded a single to center to give Fort Wayne the lead. The TinCaps loaded the bases with nobody out, but South Bend LHP David Holmberg induced a strikeout and a double play to escape further damage.
In the fourth, Medica led off with a double to the wall in left. After Jose Dore's single put runners at the corners, Emmanuel Quiles grounded into a double play to plate Medica and make it 2-0.
The Silver Hawks did not have a baserunner until the seventh inning when Zach Walters reached on a single.
In the ninth, South Bend rallied to nearly tie the game. Raul Navarro slapped a double into the right-field corner and scored two batters later on Mike Freeman's single. Another Walters single put runners at the corners with one out, but TinCaps RHP Adam Dominick struck out the final two batters of the game to secure the save.
Sampson (1-0) snagged the win; Holmberg (0-1) was saddled with the loss despite allowing just two runs over six innings. Dominick's save was the first of his professional career.
The TinCaps and Silver Hawks (Class-A Arizona Diamondbacks) continue the four-game series Friday at 7:05 p.m. at Parkview Field. RHP Zach Cates opens his pro career against South Bend RHP Tyler Green, who makes his professional debut.