Fort Wayne TinCaps (14-13, 46-49) @ Lake County Captains (11-15, 47-47)
RHP Chris Huffman (3-6, 4.18) vs. RHP Jordan Milbrath (3-8, 4.83)
Thursday, July 23, 2015 — Classic Park (Eastlake, OH) — First Pitch 7:00 p.m. — Game 96
ABOUT LAST GAME: Fort Wayne floundered at Lake County on Wednesday afternoon, 3-0.
ROSTER MOVES: The Padres placed right-handed reliever Seth Lucio on Fort Wayne’s disabled list today. Additionally, San Diego sent right-handed pitcher Nick Monroe to the TinCaps from the Arizona League and left-handed pitcher Travis Radke to the TinCaps from Short-Season A Tri-City.
ABOUT THE NEW GUY (PART I): Monroe is the first member of San Diego’s 2015 draft class to be assigned to Fort Wayne. The 21-year-old was selected in the 21st round out of UNC Wilmington (the same school as 2014 TinCaps reliever Justin Livengood — the two were teammates together with the Seahawks in 2013). In the AZL, Monroe pitched 8 times in relief and didn’t allow an earned run over 11.1 IP. He had 18 strikeouts and only 1 walk.
ABOUT THE NEW GUY (PART II): Radke was drafted by the Padres last year in the 25th round out of the University of Portland. He pitched for Short-Season A Eugene last year (remember, San Diego’s Northwest League affiliation changed during the offseason). With Tri-City this season, Radke started 6 games and went 2-2 with a 3.41 ERA. He had the best BB% in the Northwest League (0.8%) and the 6th best K% (24%).
NATIONAL HOT DOG DAY: Yes, that’s a thing, and it’s today. Parkview Field sold 14.6-miles worth of hot dogs last year. Now seems like a good time to mention that Parkview Field has also been recognized before as one of the most vegetarian friendly ballparks in Minor League Baseball.
UP NEXT: Tonight is Fort Wayne’s final game at Lake County this season. After the game, the TinCaps will bus 477 miles southwest to Bowling Green, Ky., where they’ll start a three-game series at Bowling Green Ballpark on Friday night.
MWL EASTERN DIVISION SECOND HALF PLAYOFF PICTURE
Place Team W-L GB GB Wild Card
1. West Michigan 17-9 — —
T2. FORT WAYNE 14-13 3.5 —
T2. Bowling Green 14-13 3.5 —
T2. Dayton 14-13 3.5 —
T2. South Bend 14-13 3.5 —
6 Lansing* 13-14 4.5 1.0
7. Lake County 11-15 6.0 2.5
8. Great Lakes** 10-17 7.5 4.0
* First Half Division Winner ** First Half Wild Card Winner
