Fort Wayne TinCaps (32-17, 64-53) @ Bowling Green Hot Rods (25-24, 62-57)

RHP Pete Kelich (1-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Yonny Chirinos (3-2, 0.99)

Tuesday, August 18, 2015 — Bowling Green Ballpark (Bowling Green, KY) — First Pitch 8:05 p.m. — Game 118

ABOUT LAST GAME: Franmil Reyes hit a pinch-hit, walk-off single in the 10th Sunday to score Luis Urias and lift the TinCaps to an improbable, 7-6 win over Cedar Rapids. Fort Wayne trailed 6-1 going into the bottom of the 9th. Trae Santos hit a 2-run homer to spark the rally followed by an Edwin Moreno solo shot. Then after there were 2 outs and none on, Josh VanMeter and Ruddy Giron drew walks, and Luis Tejada singled them in. As a footnote on a wild day, starting pitcher Thomas Dorminy threw 6 no-hit innings before conceding a hit and later 2 runs in the 7th.

ON A ROLL: The TinCaps have won a season-best 8 straight games and 16 of their last 18. This is the club’s longest winning streak since a 9-gamer in June 2013. The franchise record for consecutive wins is 10 (twice in 2009). Over this 18-game span, Fort Wayne has outscored opponents 85-45 (or by an average of 4.7-2.5). In the last 8, the TinCaps have outscored opponents 39-20 (4.9-2.5). The hot stretch started after a walk-off loss here at Bowling Green on July 26.

NEVER OUT OF IT: The TinCaps have come from behind to win in 11 of their 16 wins since July 28. Sunday’s 5-run deficit was the largest Fort Wayne has overcome to win this season.

AGAINST ALL ODDS: Statistically, the TinCaps had a 0.6% chance to win when coming to bat in the 9th. Once there were 2 outs and no one on base, the chance for a win was 1.3%.

HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE: The TinCaps have won 13 games in a row at Parkview Field going back to July 17. Fort Wayne’s 40 home wins lead the Midwest League. The franchise record for consecutive home wins is 15 (June 6-July 15, 2009).

BULLPEN BRILLIANCE: Over the last 18 games (16-2), the bullpen has allowed 7 earned runs in 57 2/3 innings. That equates to a 1.09 ERA. The bullpen’s season ERA is now 2.94. Keep in mind, when the club was 12-25 entering May 21, the bullpen had an ERA of 4.65.

MWL EASTERN DIVISION SECOND HALF PLAYOFF PICTURE:

Place Team W-L GB GB WC Streak

1. FORT WAYNE 32-17 — — W8

2. West Michigan 28-20 3.5 — L1

3. Bowling Green25-24 7.0 3.5 W2

4. South Bend 25-24 7.0 3.5 W1

5. Lansing* 24-25 8.0 4.5 L5

6. Lake County 23-25 8.5 5.0 L1

7. Dayton 22-27 10.0 6.5 L1

8. Great Lakes** 22-27 10.0 6.5 W3

* First Half Division Winner ** First Half Wild Card Winner