Fort Wayne TinCaps (33-17, 65-53) @ Bowling Green Hot Rods (25-25, 62-58)
RHP Dinelson Lamet (4-6, 3.18) vs. RHP Brad Wallace (2-3, 5.14)
Wednesday, August 19, 2015 — Bowling Green Ballpark (Bowling Green, KY) — First Pitch 8:05 p.m. — Game 119
ABOUT LAST GAME: The TinCaps scored 3 runs in the top of the first inning en route to an 8-3 victory over the Hot Rods. Franchy Cordero fueled a 12-hit attack with a 2-run homer. Pete Kelich earned the win with 5 innings of 2-run ball. Kyle McGrath and Aaron Cressley followed with 2 innings a piece out of the pen without allowing an earned run.
CHANCE FOR HISTORY: With a win tonight, the TinCaps will match the franchise record for most consecutive wins (10). Fort Wayne won 10 in a row twice during the 2009 season — April 9-19 and July 1-10. That year’s team won the MWL Championship and has had 20 players go on to make the big leagues — a Class A record.
ON A ROLL: The TinCaps have won a season-best 9 consecutive games and 17 of their last 19. This is the club’s longest winning streak since Fort Wayne won 9 in a row from June 2-11, 2013. Over this 19-game span, the TinCaps have outscored opponents 93-48 (or by an average of 4.9-2.5). In the last 9, the TinCaps have outscored opponents 47-23 (5.2-2.6).
VANMETER THRIVES: Since coming back from a broken leg on Aug. 11, Josh VanMeter has reached base in 5 of the 6 games he’s played in. VanMeter went 3-for-4 Tuesday with a double, an RBI, a walk, and 2 runs scored. The 20-year-old from Ossian, Ind., has had multiple hits in 3 consecutive games.
BULLPEN BRILLIANCE: Over the last 19 games (17-2), the bullpen has allowed 7 earned runs in 61 2/3 innings. That equates to a 1.02 ERA. The bullpen’s season ERA is now 2.91. Keep in mind, when the club was 12-25 entering May 21, the bullpen had an ERA of 4.65.
ALUMNI REPORT: 2012 TinCaps outfielder Travis Jankowski was called up to the Padres today from Triple-A El Paso. Jankowski’s promotion makes 139 former Fort Wayne players who’ve reached the big leagues.
MWL EASTERN DIVISION SECOND HALF PLAYOFF PICTURE:
Place Team W-L GB GB WC Streak
1. FORT WAYNE 33-17 — — W9
2. West Michigan 29-20 3.5 — W1
3. South Bend 26-24 7.0 3.5 W2
4. Bowling Green 25-25 8.0 4.5 L1
5. Lake County 24-25 8.5 5.0 W1
6. Lansing* 24-26 9.0 5.5 L6
7. Dayton 22-28 11.0 7.5 L2
8. Great Lakes** 22-28 11.0 7.5 L1
* First Half Division Winner ** First Half Wild Card Winner
