TinCaps Blanked, Lose Third Straight

Comstock Park, Mich. - For the second straight night the opportunities were there but the hits weren't, as the Fort Wayne TinCaps were held scoreless in a 2-0 loss against the West Michigan Whitecaps. The TinCaps have been held to only two runs in the first three games of the series and have failed to score for 20 consecutive frames.

West Michigan (35-30, 68-67), despite being eliminated from playoff contention as Great Lakes earned a win, notched an early lead and hung on for the duration of the game. Four straight fourth-inning hits, including RBI knocks from Jason King and Dominic Ficociello were the difference. Those two runs were charged to Fort Wayne (26-40, 69-66) starter Bryan Rodriguez (2-8), who was tagged with the loss.

Whitecaps starting pitcher Montreal (pronounced Mon-trell) Robertson (3-7) worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing all three of the TinCaps hits, while walking one and striking out one. The trio of Chad Smith, Guido Knudson and Corey Knebel finished off Fort Wayne, holding the team hitless in the final 3 1/3 innings.

The TinCaps did place a runner on the bases six different times over the final four innings of the game, including in the ninth inning, but the team's 0-for-5 mark with runners in scoring position prevented a comeback.

Looking to avoid their first four-game road sweep since 2009, Fort Wayne sends Zach Eflin to the hill Friday night against West Michigan's Edgar De La Rosa. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m., and the game can be heard on WOWO 1190AM/92.3 FM and WOWO.com.