Fort Wayne TinCaps (9-8) @ South Bend (10-6)
RHP Brett Kennedy (1-0, 2.77) vs. LHP Carson Sands (1-0, 3.60)
Sunday, April 24, 2016 — Four Winds Field — First Pitch 2:05 p.m. — Game 18
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: Fort Wayne lost to South Bend, 7-4, as the Cubs tallied five runs in the fourth inning. The TinCaps battled back with a three-run eighth inning, highlighted by a two-run single from newcomer Carlos Belen, but dropped their third consecutive game. Belen was added to Fort Wayne’s roster earlier Saturday from Extended Spring Training.
WINNING BIG, LOSING CLOSE: Friday’s 7-6 loss in 10 innings was the 3rd time this season the TinCaps have lost in walk-off fashion. Fort Wayne has lost 5 games by 1 run, another by 2, and only 2 by 3+. Their losses have been by an average of 1.9 runs. In contrast, their 9 wins have been by an average of 6.2 runs.
BEST IN THE MIDWEST, AND BEYOND: The TinCaps enter the afternoon leading the MWL in all offensive categories below, and rank among the best in all of Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A (120 teams), as well…
– Runs: 108 (1st in MiLB; Advanced-A High Desert is next with 104)
– RBIs: 92 (T-1st in MiLB with High Desert)
– Hits: 155 (Tied for 12th in MiLB)
– Total Bases: 228 (16th in MiLB)
– On-Base Plus Slugging: .729 (Tied for 21st in MiLB)
– Slugging Percentage: .388 (25th in MiLB)
– Home Runs: 9
MWL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: The first offensive Midwest League Player of the Week in 2016 is TinCaps catcher Austin Allen, who’s 27-for-53 at the plate with 6 walks to begin the season. Here’s a look at how his numbers stack up with all hitters in Minor League Baseball…
– Batting Average: .509 (1st in MiLB)
– On-Base Percentage: .565 (1st in MiLB)
– Hits: 27 (Tied for 4th in MiLB)
– On-Base Plus Slugging: 1.225 (3rd in MiLB)
ALSO AT THE TOP: Outfielder Luis Tejada leads the MWL with 16 RBIs (tied for 7th most in MiLB) and is tied for the league lead with 7 doubles (tied for 6th in MiLB). Outfielder Michael Gettys leads the MWL with 11 stolen bases (5th-most in MiLB). He’s tied for 2nd in the league with 16 runs (tied for 6th in MiLB). Gettys and infielder Ty France have been hit by 4 pitches, which is tied for the MWL lead (tied for 5th in MiLB).
COMING HOME: Today’s tilt concludes a 7-game road trip. The TinCaps start a 6-game homestand Tuesday at Parkview Field.
