Fort Wayne TinCaps (30-17, 62-53) vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels (27-20, 68-49)
RHP Chris Huffman (6-6, 3.30) vs. RHP Sam Gibbons (6-2, 2.94)
Saturday, August 15, 2015 — Parkview Field — First Pitch 7:05 p.m. — Game 116
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The TinCaps opened their series against the Kernels with a 10-4 win. Fort Wayne’s offense tallied 12 hits — half of which went for extra bases… Center fielder Michael Gettys had 3 of them (2 doubles, 1 triple), while shortstop Ruddy Giron (2 hits) drove in 3 runs. Gettys plated 2, as did first baseman Luis Tejada… Ernesto Montas turned in a quality start (6.0 IP, 3 ER). T.J. Weir (1.0 IP) and Taylor Cox (2.0 IP) provided scoreless relief… Fort Wayne broke a 4-4 tie with 2 in the fourth and added 4 in the sixth.
ON A ROLL: The TinCaps have won 6 straight and 14 of their last 16.
NEVER OUT OF IT: The TinCaps have come from behind to win in 10 of their 14 wins since July 28. On Friday, Fort Wayne overcame a pair of deficits, trailing 1-0 after a half inning and 4-1 after 1 1/2. The TinCaps equalized in both ensuing half innings.
HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE: The TinCaps have won 11 games in a row at Parkview Field going back to July 17. Fort Wayne’s 38 home wins lead the Midwest League. The franchise record for consecutive home wins is 15 (June 6-July 15, 2009).
BULLPEN BRILLIANCE: Fort Wayne’s pen threw 3 scoreless innings Friday. Over the last 16 games (14-2), the bullpen has allowed 4 earned runs in 50 2/3 innings. That equates to a 0.71 ERA. The bullpen’s season ERA is now 2.92. Keep in mind, when the club was 12-25 entering May 21, the bullpen had an ERA of 4.65.
STANDING ROOM ONLY: Friday’s crowd of 8,065 was the 18th sellout of the season at Parkview Field. Tonight will be the 19th. Through the first 56 openings of the season, the TinCaps have averaged 5,861 fans per game (second only to DAY in the MWL). Last year the club set a record for attendance, averaging 5,810 fans.
THE OTHER GUYS: The Kernels have one of Minnesota’s Top 30 prospects, according to MLB.com: SS Nick Gordon (No. 6).
MWL EASTERN DIVISION SECOND HALF PLAYOFF PICTURE
Place Team W-L GB GB WC Streak
1. FORT WAYNE 30-17 — — W6
2. West Michigan 27-19 2.5 — W3
3. Lansing* 24-23 6.0 3.5 L3
4. South Bend 24-23 6.0 3.5 W3
5. Bowling Green 23-24 7.0 4.5 L1
6. Lake County 22-24 7.5 5.0 W1
7. Dayton 21-26 9.0 6.5 W2
8. Great Lakes** 20-27 10.0 7.5 W1
* First Half Division Winner ** First Half Wild Card Winner
