Greene Jr., TinCaps Walk Off on Hot Rods and Win Series
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - TinCaps catcher Marcus Greene Jr. hit a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Fort Wayne a 6-4 win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay Rays) on Thursday night at Parkview Field in Game 2 of the best-of-three Eastern Division Semifinals.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the game tied, 4-4, and a runner at first base, Greene launched a ball over the center-field wall to end the game and give Fort Wayne the 6-4 win. It was the fourth walk-off win for the TinCaps this season and the first walk-off home run.
Fort Wayne (2-0, 70-72) took an early lead in the game thanks to another home run in the bottom of the first inning. Right fielder
Bowling Green (0-2, 72-67) tied the game in the top of the fourth inning. With Rene Pinto at second base and one out, Jim Haley singled on a slow roller to TinCaps shortstop
The Hot Rods took their first lead of the series in the fifth. With the bases loaded and no outs, Josh Lowe singled to score Luis Rengifo for a 2-1 Bowling Green advantage. Pinto followed with a groundout that scored Miles Mastrobuoni from third to extend the Hot Rods' edge to 3-1. Jesus Sanchez then hit a sacrifice fly to center field that brought home Garrett Whitley to put Bowling Green up 4-1.
The TinCaps began to cut into the deficit in the seventh. Second baseman
Fort Wayne tied the game in the eighth. Greene and designated hitter Jorge Oña both singled to begin the inning to put runners on the corners.
The TinCaps' bullpen was stellar.
Bowling Green starting pitcher Adrian Navas allowed just one run in six innings on the mound, but the Hot Rods' bullpen struggled. Relievers Orlando Romero and Joe Serrapica (L) combined to allow five runs, four of them earned runs, in 2 2/3 innings of work.
The TinCaps now move on to the Eastern Division Championship Series where they will host either the West Michigan Whitecaps or the Dayton Dragons on Saturday, September 9 (7:05 p.m.). That will be Game 1 of a best-of-three series. Games 2 and, if necessary, Game 3 will be played on the road at West Michigan or Dayton. The Whitecaps and Dragons will play a decisive Game 3 of their series Friday night.
Tickets for the Midwest League Playoffs at Parkview Field are on sale at TinCapsTickets.com, by calling 260-482-6400, or by visiting the ballpark's Ticket Office during regular business hours. Ticket prices are the same as in the regular season, starting at just $5.
Next Game
Saturday, September 9 vs. Dayton or West Michigan (7:05 p.m.)
Watch: Comcast Network 81
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