Fort Wayne TinCaps (7-11, 43-45) @ West Michigan Whitecaps (8-8, 47-36)
RHP Jake Nix (1-4, 4.37) vs. LHP Toller Boardman (4-3, 1.85)
Monday, July 11 — Fifth Third Ballpark — First Pitch 12:00 p.m. — Game 89
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON: The Whitecaps plated a run in the bottom of the eighth and held on for a 2-1 win over the TinCaps. Down 1-0 in the sixth, catcher Austin Allen launched a solo home run to right-center field to tie the game. Starter Austin Smith tossed 5 innings of 1-run ball, and J.C. Cosme worked 2 shutout stanzas in relief.
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: The TinCaps have now played in 32 games decided by one run (14-18), the most in the division. Fort Wayne has also played in 16 shutouts this season (6-10), tied for the most of any team in the Midwest League’s Eastern Division.
NIX VS. THE WHITECAPS: In 3 starts against West Michigan, today’s starter, Jake Nix, has not allowed a run over 14 innings. The righty has piled up 14 strikeouts and hasn’t walked a Whitecap in those outings. The TinCaps went 2-1 in those starts.
RUDDY’S RESURGENCE: Shortstop Ruddy Giron is riding a
season-long 6-game hitting streak after a 1-for-4 effort Saturday. With his two-run single Friday night, Giron posted his third multi-RBI game of the season — his first since April 16.
BELEN BASHES: 3B Carlos Belen has been hot in the second half, hitting .311 with 8 doubles, 2 triples, a homer, and 11 RBIs. (This is after he hit .194 in the first half.) Of Belen’s 54 hits this year, 28 have gone for extra bases. He’s moved up to the No. 3 spot in the order over the last week.
EVOLVING OUTFIELD: With Michael Gettys’ mid-season promotion to Advanced-A Lake Elsinore and Rod Boykin’s stint on the disabled list, the TinCaps outfield has changed shape. Kodie Tidwell had never played the outfield before May 26 and has since settled into a standard spot in left field. Tyler Moore played left field and right field in college (South Carolina Aiken) and was drafted as a second baseman, but he’s become the typical center fielder. Through 18 second-half games, the TinCaps have only trotted out the same outfield once in consecutive games (June 29-30 against Dayton).
FUTURES GAME: As part of Major League Baseball’s upcoming All-Star Game on Tuesday in San Diego, Petco Park hosted the Futures Game on Sunday night. Former TinCap and current Triple-A OF Hunter Renfroe represented the United States squad and started in right field as the cleanup hitter. The World Team scored 7 runs in the ninth inning to stroll to an 11-3 win. Padres special assistant for player development Moises Alou managed the World Team along with Padres field and hitting coordinator Luis Ortiz (hitting coach).
