TinCaps Drop Opener at West Michigan

Comstock Park, MI - Neither the weather nor the outcome favored Fort Wayne on Monday afternoon, as the TinCaps dropped the opener of a three game series against the West Michigan Whitecaps. Fort Wayne scored the first three runs of the game in the second inning, but was outscored by a lopsided margin the rest of the way, ultimately falling, 11-4.

Rain halted the game's first pitch, forcing action to begin two hours and forty-two minutes later than the originally scheduled noon start time at Fifth Third Ballpark. Initially that didn't impede the Fort Wayne (3-2) offense, as Luis Tejada scored on an error, and Rodney Daal and Mallex Smith teamed up to hit back-to-back run-scoring doubles in the top of the second. TinCaps starter Erik Cabrera (0-1), who worked 3 2/3 innings, gave up three runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.

The TinCaps answered with a run in the fourth, taking a 4-3 lead. Once again, West Michigan (3-2) scored three more times in the bottom half of the inning, regaining the edge at 6-4. The Whitecaps plated two more runs in the fourth, stretching the lead to 8-4. Fort Wayne's bullpen allowed one run in the seventh and two more in the eighth. After the fourth inning, the TinCaps collected just two hits.

West Michigan starter Edgar De La Rosa turned in four innings and allowed four runs. He was relieved by Yorfrank Lopez (1-0), who earned the win with four scoreless innings of relief.

The second game of the three-game series is scheduled for Tuesday at noon. Fort Wayne has not yet announced a starter, while West Michigan is slated to send Endrys Briecno to the mound. The game can be heard on The Fan 1380 or on TheFanFortWayne.com.