Fort Wayne TinCaps (17-13) vs. Great Lakes Loons (11-16)
RHP Walker Lockett (1-2, 3.62) vs. RHP Dennis Santana (0-2, 2.53)
Monday, May 9, 2016 — Parkview Field — First Pitch 7:05 p.m. — Game 31
ABOUT SATURDAY: The TinCaps scored 5 times in the top of the 9th inning to erase a 3-2 deficit at Kane County and went on to beat the Cougars, 7-4, in the rubber match of their series. After mustering only 3 hits through the first 8 innings, Fort Wayne rallied with 6 hits in the 9th, including 5 in a row to begin the frame. The biggest of them all was a 3-run homer by Carlos Belen. (The team was off Sunday.)
CALL IT A COMEBACK: The TinCaps have come from behind in 8 of their 17 wins this season, including each of the last 2 games at Kane County. Over its last 12 contests, Fort Wayne has managed to win 3 times when trailing after 8 innings.
HOW THE WEST WAS WON: The TinCaps finished interdivision play in the first half with an 8-4 record against the Western Division. Fort Wayne took 2 out of 3 in 4 consecutive series against Peoria, Burlington, Clinton, and Kane County.
HOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE: After a 4-2 rip to Clinton and Kane County, the TinCaps are now 8-10 on the road this season. At Parkview Field, Fort Wayne is 9-3, which matches the 2013 club for the best home record through 12 games in TinCaps history. The TinCaps are 4-0 in series openers at home so far.
INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE LEADERS: TinCaps lead the MWL in…
· Batting Average: Austin Allen (.425) — 1st in MiLB
· RBIs: Ty France (21*)
· Stolen Bases: Michael Gettys (14) — Tied for 9th in MiLB
· Games: Michael Gettys (29*)
* Tied for league lead
THE OTHER GUYS: At 11-16, Great Lakes enters with the 2nd worst record in the 16-team MWL. Although the Loons just won 4 of 6 at home, they’ve lost 7 consecutive road games and are 1-9 overall on the road. While the Loons’ 3.18 ERA ranks 7th in the league (2nd in the Eastern Division), their team .192 batting average is the worst in the league. They’re striking out a league-high 11 times per game. In terms of prospects ranked by MLB.com, Great Lakes has the 2 youngest players in the MWL in 2B Omar Estevez (No. 17) and SS Brendon Davis (No. 21), who are both 18. Among MWL leaders, 1B Matt Jones has 4 HR, tied for 2nd most in the circuit. He has also struck out a league-high 40 times.
SOUND OFF: Live from Parkview Field at 7:30, tonight is the season premiere of Sound Off with the TinCaps on 21Alive, Fort Wayne’s ABC affiliate. Featuring insight from players, coaches, and the front office, the show will air at 7:30 on Mondays the rest of the season.
