TinCaps edge Dayton in odd game

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - LHP Jose De Paula fired seven hitless innings, but didn't figure in the decision as the TinCaps had to come back to beat the Dayton Dragons, 6-5, Thursday at Parkview Field. Dayton committed six errors.

The game was played before 8,401 fans, the second-highest paid attendance ever at Parkview Field.

De Paula, making just his second start of the year, was on a strict pitch limit and was removed after seven no-hit frames. He walked two and struck out seven.

The TinCaps staked the lefty to a lead in the bottom of the third. Danny Payne stroked an RBI single to right. Two batters later, Jason Hagerty pounded a two-run homer over the left-field wall, giving Fort Wayne a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth, runners were at the corners when Wande Olabisi hit a chopper to third base. Edinson Rincon broke from third base toward the plate. The throw to the plate was dropped by the catcher, allowing Rincon to score and push the lead to 4-0.

In the top of the eighth, Dayton piled up five runs against the TinCaps' bullpen. Josh Garton broke up the no-hitter and the shutout with a home run to left-center. After back-to-back singles by Frank Pfister and Alex Oliveras, Ryan LaMarre bounced a two-run single to right, cutting the lead to 4-3. Later in the inning, Tommy Nurre plated a run with a sacrifice fly to the tie game. Mark Fleury followed with an RBI single to put Dayton ahead, 5-4.

Fort Wayne came back with two of their own in the bottom of the eighth. After a walk by Hagerty and a single by Nate Freiman, Rincon hit a bouncer to short which was misplayed, allowing Hagerty to race around and score the tying run. Everett Williams laid down a sacrifice bunt, then Jon Alia singled just in front of the left fielder to drive home Freiman with the go-ahead run.

In the top of the ninth, Nick Schumacher restored order with a perfect inning to notch the save. RHP Miles Mikolas (3-1) was awarded the win. Dayton RHP Mike Konstanty (0-3) surrendered the go-ahead run in one-third of an inning. The save was Schumacher's 14th of the season.

Fort Wayne crept above .500 at 34-33. Dayton fell to 28-38.

The TinCaps open a three-game road series against the South Bend Silver Hawks (Class-A Arizona Diamondbacks) Friday at 7:30 p.m. Fort Wayne LHP Nick Greenwood (4-3) draws the start against South Bend RHP Brad Gemberling (1-4).