RECAP: Manzanas Luchadoras Ganan de Nuevo (Fighting Apples Win Again)

Box Score

*FORT WAYNE, Ind. *-- The Manzanas Luchadoras ("Fighting Apples" in Spanish) de Fort Wayne, the TinCaps' alternate identity, defeated South Bend, 7-5, on Sunday afternoon at Parkview Field to conclude the team's Hispanic Heritage Weekend. The game ended prematurely in the eighth inning due to a downpour of rain as los Cabritos Maldichos (the Cursed Goats) of South Bend -- the alternate identity for the Cubs -- had the tying runs on base with one out. Following a 1 hour and 17-minute delay, the game was called after the deluge left the field unplayable in adequate time, with more rain forecast.

With the victory, Fort Wayne (17-19, 44-58) earned a split of the six-game series. The Summit City's squad is 2-0-3 over its last five series.

Fort Wayne took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning against South Bend reliever Jarod Wright as catcher Brandon Valenzuela *provided a sacrifice fly. Wright replaced No. 26 Chicago Cubs prospect *Daniel Palencia, who made quite an impression with three perfect innings that included seven strikeouts. In fact, the 22-year-old from Venezuela, coming off the injured list, struck out each of the first six hitters he faced, using a 100-plus MPH fastball and a slider in the low 90s.

The game was back-and-forth in the middle innings until Fort Wayne broke through with a five-run bottom of the sixth highlighted by RBI singles from third baseman Lucas Dunn *and center fielder *Joshua Mears, as well as a two-RBI double by right fielder Agustín Ruiz. The big frame gave the home team a 7-3 lead.

Earlier, it was second baseman *Olivier Basabe *who hit a go-ahead RBI single that gave Fort Wayne a 2-1 lead in the fifth.

*Jose Espada *made his second start of the week, firing five innings of one-run ball.

*Next Game: *Tuesday, Aug. 9 @ Lake County Captains - Cleveland Guardians affiliate (6:35 p.m.)

*Listen: *1380 The Fan & 100.9 FM | TinCapsRadio.com