Wild finish gives TinCaps 6-5 win

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The TinCaps didn't put the ball in play in the bottom of the ninth, but still scored three runs on their way to a 6-5 win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods, Saturday at Parkview Field. Jason Hagerty stayed hot, going 2-for-2 with a home run.

Fort Wayne led 3-0 going to the ninth inning thanks to Hagerty's solo blast in the first inning and a pinch-hit home run by Dean Anna in the eighth.

In the ninth, Tyler Bortnick hit the first pitch of the inning over the left-field wall to break up the shutout. The next three batters reached to load the bases, then Julio Cedeno lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. Mark Thomas roped a pinch-hit, game-tying RBI single to deadlock the game at 3-3. Dustin Biell followed with a grounder to third. The throw to the plate hit the runner and caromed into the dugout allowing two runs to score, giving Bowling Green a 5-3 lead.

The TinCaps proceeded to take five straight walks in the bottom of the ninth. Jedd Gyorko and Edinson Rincon drew RBI free passes, then Jonathan Galvez was nipped on the jersey by a fastball to bring home the winning run.

RHP Matt Lollis took a no-decision despite firing 6.1 scoreless innings, facing just two batters over the minimum. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out five.

The crowd of 8,012 was the 19th sellout of the year at Parkview Field.

RHP Miles Mikolas (6-3) was the winning pitcher despite a rocky ninth inning. Bowling Green RHP Scott Shuman (4-4) took the loss.

Fort Wayne upped its record to 25-16 in the half, 61-50 for the season. The Hot Rods fell to 19-22 in the second half, 50-60 for the year.

The TinCaps and Hot Rods (Class-A Tampa Bay Rays) continue the four-game series Sunday at Parkview Field. Fort Wayne LHP Mike Watt (5-4) goes to the mound against Bowling Green RHP Albert Suarez (0-3).