Fried, TinCaps Blank TinCaps

Eastlake, OH - Max Fried tossed five shutout innings and the Fort Wayne offense slugged 13 hits Saturday, helping the TinCaps to a 5-0 win over the Lake County Captains in the opener of a three-game series. Mallex Smith snapped a 2-for-32 slide by going 4-for-5, and Chris Burke hit his third home run of the year in the win.

Fried (3-2) picked up his first win since May 15, looking as dominant as he has in any start this season. He allowed a first-inning single to Logan Vick, and the only other hit he allowed over his five-inning outing was in the fifth inning. The 19-year-old lefty struck out three and walked two.

The Fort Wayne (3-6, 46-32) pitching staff impressed all night, as Colin Rea jumped into action to toss two perfect frames in the sixth and seventh innings, with Chris Nunn and Roman Madrid each working one inning each. It was the first appearance in eight days for Nunn, who was reinstated from the disabled list earlier in the game.

The TinCaps sped to an early 3-0 lead against Lake County (5-5, 28-49) starter Ryan Merritt (4-8), who surrendered a season-worst 12 hits. In the second inning, Rodney Daal, Brian Adams and Mallex Smith hit consecutive run-scoring singles to put the TinCaps on the board.

Chris Burke hit his third home run of the year in the sixth inning, and Mallex Smith, who had doubled to reach base, scored on a wild pitch in the seventh inning.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 1:30. The scheduled starters are Bryan Rodriguez for Fort Wayne and Dylan Baker for Lake County. The game can be heard on The Fan 1380 and TheFanFortWayne.com.