TinCaps Win, 7-5, Earn Series Split
Eastlake, OH - Despite giving away an early 3-0 lead Friday night at Classic Park, the TinCaps were able to rebound, scoring four runs in the final three innings to pick up a series-evening 7-5 win over the Lake County Captains. Luis Domoromo led the charge, going 2-4 with two runs batted in, and Alberth Martinez also contributed a home run.
Fort Wayne (14-25, 57-51) knocked three runs across in the second inning against Lake County (19-21, 42-65) starter Robby Aviles, who lasted just four innings. Brian Adams singled home Gabriel Quintana, and Domoromo also scored on the play when first baseman Jorge Martinez mishandled the throw from right field. Later in the inning, which saw eight batters come to the plate, catcher Miguel Del Castillo secured an RBI groundout in his first TinCaps at-bat.
TinCaps starter Matthew Shepherd didn't allow a hit through his first three innings, but did give up a three-run home run to Richard Stock with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, which tied the game at three. Shepherd, in his fifth start of the season, struck out a season-high-tying five batters, but walked a career-worst six in the process.
The game tied, 3-3, Matt Chabot got the call from the TinCaps bullpen and gave up a two-out RBI single to LeVon Washington in the sixth, which put the Captains in front, 4-3. The final third of the game belonged to the TinCaps, though. Martinez hit a leadoff homer in the seventh, which tied the game, Domoromo hit an RBI double in the eighth, giving Fort Wayne a 5-4 lead, and Quintana and Domoromo each picked up an RBI in the ninth, giving the TinCaps a three-run cushion heading to the last half-inning.
Roman Madrid had just been activated off the disabled list minutes prior to the game's first pitch, and saw game action Friday for the first time since July 20th. He gave up one run in the bottom of the ninth, but earned his league-leading 16th save, closing out a TinCaps victory.
A return to Parkview Field for the TinCaps sees them open a five-game, four-day series against the Lansing Lugnuts. Saturday's first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 and the scheduled starters are Brian Rodriguez for the TinCaps and Ben White for the Lugnuts. The game can seen on XFINITY 81 and can be heard on The Fan 1380 and TheFanFortWayne.com.