Fort Wayne TinCaps (40-19, 72-55) vs. Lake County Captains (29-30, 65-62)
RHP Pete Kelich (2-1, 4.50) vs. LHP Justus Sheffield (8-4, 3.66)
Friday, August 28, 2015 — Parkview Field — First Pitch 7:05 p.m. — Game 128
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The TinCaps shut out the Captains, 2-0. Edwin Moreno drove in Trae Santos (who had tripled) in the second for the game’s first run. Fort Wayne added an insurance run in the eighth when Franmil Reyes doubled in Ruddy Giron after a double of his own. On the mound, Thomas Dorminy extended threw 7 scoreless innings for a second start in a row. Nick Monroe worked the eighth, while Yimmi Brasoban struck out the side in the ninth.
FRANCHISE RECORD: The TinCaps have won 17 games in a row at Parkview Field since, and including, July 17. This is a new franchise record, surpassing the 2009 TinCaps, who won 15 consecutive home games. That year’s team went on to win the MWL title and have since produced a Class A record 20 big leaguers. Last week the TinCaps tied another ‘09 record by winning 10 consecutive games overall.
MWL RECORD ON RADAR: The MWL record for consecutive home wins in the regular season is held by the Cedar Rapids Kernels, who won 19 in a row at Veterans Memorial Stadium in 2010.
MAGIC NUMBERS: With 11 games remaining in the regular season, the TinCaps have a magic number of 1 to clinch a playoff spot and a magic number of 8 to win the Eastern Division. Fort Wayne hasn’t won a division title since ‘09.
PITCHING WINS: The TinCaps are 20-4 this month thanks in large part to a 2.13 ERA — the lowest in the MWL for August. Thursday was Fort Wayne’s 11th shutout win of the year, with all coming since May 31 — the most in the league in that time frame.
STAYING HOT: The TinCaps have won 9 series in a row overall and are 24-4 over their last 28 games. Over the last 15 series at Parkview Field, Fort Wayne is 13-0-2, and has won 6 straight home series.
WINNING THE CLOSE ONES: During this 28-game stretch in which the TinCaps are 24-4, they are 9-0 in 1-run games and 7-1 in 2-run games. Only 6 of the wins have been by 4 or more runs.
MORENO MASHING: Edwin Moreno is on a career-best 11-game hitting streak. Over the stretch that goes back to Aug. 13, the outfielder is 17-for-36 (.472) with a double, a triple, 2 home runs, and 5 RBIs.
MWL EASTERN DIVISION SECOND HALF PLAYOFF PICTURE:
Place Team W-L GB GB WC Streak
1. FORT WAYNE 40-19 — — W4
2. West Michigan 36-23 4.0 — W3
3. South Bend 29-30 11.0 7.0 L3
4. Lake County29-30 11.0 7.0 L1
5. Bowling Green 28-30 11.5 7.5 L1
6. Dayton 27-31 12.5 8.5 W1
7. Lansing* 26-32 13.5 9.5 L4
8. Great Lakes** 25-33 14.5 10.5 W1
* First Half Division Winner ** First Half Wild Card Winner
