TinCaps Shoot Down Loons 10-0 In Opener

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MIDLAND, Mich. - For the second time in three days the Fort Wayne TinCaps scored ten runs, defeating the Great Lakes Loons 10-0 on Thursday night at Dow Diamond. The offense enjoyed a seven-run fifth inning, while pitchers Frank Garces, James Jones and Johnny Barbato limited the Loons to just four hits.

The Fort Wayne (5-2, 36-41) offensive began in the second inning, as the TinCaps knocked in two runs, aided in part by an RBI double off the bat of Austin Hedges. Great Lakes (3-4, 37-40) starter Ralston Cash stumbled in that frame but advanced to retire the side in order in both the third and fourth innings.

The TinCaps continued to slather on the runs, damaging Ralston’s ERA with eight runs against the righty in the fifth inning, and nine runs overall in the frame. Eleven batters came to the plate in the inning, with four different Fort Wayne batters picking up at least one RBI. Yeison Asencio launched a two-run home run, Kyle Gaedele and Traivs Whitmore each had two-run doubles and Lee Orr added and RBI single. The seven-run inning tied Fort Wayne’s season total for the most runs in a single frame. It is the third time the team has accomplished the feat this year.

Leading 9-0, Garces (4-4) took the hill in the bottom of the fifth and retired the side in order. The southpaw faced three batters more than the minimum, as he lowered his ERA from 2.80 to 2.62. He has now won his last three decisions. Jones pitched three innings and Barbato hurled the ninth for Fort Wayne.

The TinCaps added another run in the ninth as Travis Whitmore led off with a triple to center field, and scored on a throwing error by Loons first baseman O’Koyea Dickson.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Friday night at 7:05. The scheduled starters are Adys Portillo for Fort Wayne and Duke van Schamann, who will make his Midwest League debut for Great Lakes.