Fort Wayne TinCaps (6-8, 42-42) vs. South Bend Cubs (10-4, 51-32)
RHP Chris Paddack (2-0, 0.95 in South Atlantic League) vs. RHP Casey Bloomquist (5-4, 2.51)
Thursday, July 7 — Parkview Field — First Pitch 7:05 p.m. — Game 85
LAST NIGHT: In a game that featured a live ball being thrown out of play, a batter’s interference, a couple of balks, a couple of errors, five triples, an ejection, and more, Fort Wayne lost to South Bend, 12-2.
PADDACK CALLS: RHP Chris Paddack makes his San Diego organizational debut tonight after being acquired by the Padres in a trade for All-Star reliever Fernando Rodney last Thursday. Paddack is already ranked as the No. 11 prospect in San Diego’s system by MLB.com. In 6 starts (28.1 IP) with Class A Greensboro this year, the 20-year-old Texan struck out 48 and only walked 2, posting a 0.98 ERA. He was the South Atlantic League’s June Pitcher of the Month.
TIDWELL’S TEAR: LF Kodie Tidwell has reached base in 9 consecutive games. This is on the heels of his 31-game on-base streak from May 13-June 25 — the longest in the MWL this season. In 42 games since May 13, Tidwell, who over the stretch has played 2B, 3B, SS, LF, RF, and DH-ed, has slashed .281/.393/.444 with 4 homers, a triple, 11 doubles, and 14 RBIs with 5 stolen bases. His .393 OBP is sixth highest in the MWL over this time.
COLLEGE REUNION: 2B Peter Van Gansen was college teammates with South Bend starter Casey Bloomquist for 3 years at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Big West). A year ago, Van Gansen was the Mustangs’ Ozzie Smith Most Valuable Player, while Bloomquist was their Mike Krukow Outstanding Pitcher award recipient. Van Gansen has an RBI single in 4 at-bats against his former teammate this season.
BELEN BASHES: 3B Carlos Belen drove in both TinCaps runs on Wednesday with a 2-run triple. The 20-year-old has been hot in the second half, hitting .356 with 6 doubles, 2 triples, a homer, and 10 RBIs. (This is after he hit .194 in the first half.) Of Belen’s 51 hits this year, 26 have gone for extra bases.
ALUMNI REPORT: On Wednesday, OF Franmil Reyes, a 2014-15 TinCap who’s now with the Advanced-A Lake Elsinore Storm, was named the California League’s Player of the Month for June. In June, Reyes led the circuit there in extra-base hits (17), RBIs (27), and doubles (11). Today is his 21st birthday.
HOME COOKIN’: The TinCaps are 8-2 against the Cubs at Parkview Field this year, even though South Bend sports the league’s best overall record. Tonight is their final meeting here this season.
PARKVIEW FIELD PROMOTIONS:
– Tonight: Pro Wrestling Night feat. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan / Thirsty Thursday pres. by Rudy’s / Fireworks
