Fort Wayne TinCaps (36-34) vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods (37-32)

RHP Austin Smith (1-4, 4.56) vs. RHP Roel Ramirez (2-5, 5.40)

Thursday, June 23 — Bowling Green Ballpark — First Pitch 7:35 p.m. — Game 71

FIRST HALF REVIEW: The TinCaps finished the first half in a tie for 5th place in the Midwest League Eastern Division, 5.5 games behind the division champs, South Bend, and 4.5 back of the wild-card winning West Michigan. Fort Wayne ended the half with a 3.49 ERA (8th out of 16) and .239 batting average (10th). The team’s 91 errors are the most in the circuit.

ALL-STAR GAME RECAP: On Tuesday night in Cedar Rapids, the Eastern Division vanquished the Western Division, 11-10. TinCaps righty J.C. Cosme started the game on the mound and allowed 4 runs on 4 hits without recording an out. Jacob Nix followed him with a perfect inning. Michael Gettys started in right field. He went 0-for-2 with a walk and stole a game-high 2 stolen bases while scoring a run. Catcher Austin Allen was hitless in 2 at-bats. The East had an 8-run comeback, capped by a 4-run top of the 9th inning.

ROSTER MOVES: Today the Padres transferred OF Michael Gettys and C A.J. Kennedy to the Advanced-A Lake Elsinore Storm. In turn, the TinCaps have received OF Alan Garcia from the Short-Season A Tri-City Dust Devils and C Marcus Greene from the Storm.

GETTYS GONE: Gettys leaves as the team leader in games (68), at-bats (257), runs (37), hits (78), triples (5), total bases (107), stolen bases (24), and outfield assists (11). He led the MWL in stolen bases and outfield assists and was tied for 2nd in games.

JAYLON SMITH: The Dallas Cowboys linebacker and Fort Wayne native will be at Parkview Field on Monday night when the TinCaps host the Dayton Dragons. Smith, who was the nation’s top linebacker last year at Notre Dame, will sign autographs for fans before the game and throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

ON THE OTHER SIDE: The Hot Rods went 37-32 in the first half, finishing in 4th place. Bowling Green leads the league in runs (5.3/game), while hitting .260 batting average (5th). The Hot Rods also lead the MWL in stolen bases (89) and rank 2nd in homers (43). Their 76 errors are tied for the 9th most.

VS. MUJICA: Here’s how the TinCaps in the lineup tonight did against Bowling Green’s starter here on June 9 (a 4-3 FW win)…

– Kodie Tidwell: 0-3, 2 K

– Peter Van Gansen: 2-3, K

– Austin Allen: 0-3, 2 K

– Carlos Belen: 1-2, RBI, SB

– Ty France: 0-1, BB

– Brad Zunica: 1-2, HR, K

– Tyler Moore: 1-2

– Jhonatan Peña: 0-2