Fort Wayne TinCaps (13-21, 49-55) vs. Lansing Lugnuts (18-16, 54-50)
RHP Emmanuel Ramirez (1-0, 5.09) vs. LHP Angel Perdomo (3-5, 2.97)
Saturday, July 30 — Parkview Field — First Pitch 7:05 p.m. — Game 105
LAST NIGHT/THIS MORNING: The TinCaps topped the Whitecaps, 8-7, to complete the sweep in a 3-game series. Fort Wayne broke a 7-7 tie in the eighth as Austin Allen drew a bases-loaded, 2-out walk. After a 1 hour, 52 minute rain delay during the home first, the 3 hour, 28-minute game didn’t end until nearly 12:30 a.m.
COMEBACK KIDS: The TinCaps trailed 7-3 in the bottom of the sixth last night before rallying to win. It was the third time this year, and first time since April, that Fort Wayne overcame a 4-run deficit to win.
DOG DAYZZZ: Both teams may look tired on the field tonight. Lansing played at Bowling Green last night (losing, 3-2) and didn’t arrive in Fort Wayne until 4:30 a.m. The next scheduled day off in the Midwest League is Wednesday, Aug. 10.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: With 36 games to go in the regular season, the TinCaps currently trail the Lugnuts for the Eastern Division’s second-half wild card by 5.0 games… A Fort Wayne win tonight would be its fourth in a row. The TinCaps haven’t won 4 straight since June 4-9.
STARTER NIX-ED: TinCaps starting pitcher Jacob Nix is not injured, but the 20-year-old is having his scheduled start tonight skipped in order to get extra rest during his first full professional season. Emmanuel Ramirez is now making his first Midwest League start. The 22-year-old righty from the Dominican has pitched in relief for the TinCaps 9 times this year. Most recently, he made 8 starts with Short Season-A Tri-City, where he posted a 2.62 ERA and was voted a Northwest League All-Star.
VILTER VAULTS IN LINEUP: 1B Nick Vilter is batting fifth tonight for the first time this season after a 3-for-4 performance last night that included his first home run of the season, a 3-run shot, and an RBI double. Vilter’s .215 batting average may not impress, but his .407 OBP would be the highest in the league among active players if he had enough plate appearances. Vilter is on a 12-game on-base streak this month, in which he’s slashed .355/.535/.613.
ALL-EN THE WAY UP: C Austin Allen is on a career-long 14-game hitting streak. It’s the longest active streak in the league, as he’s hit .365 (19-for-52) with 2 home runs and 8 RBIs. His .309 average for the season is sixth best in the MWL.
PRESENT FUTURE STAR: Lansing starter Angel Perdomo pitched for the World Team in the Futures Game at Petco Park on July 10.
PARKVIEW FIELD PROMOTIONS:Tonight: QuickChange, Fireworks
Tomorrow: On-Field Postgame Autographs
Monday: Jake the Diamond Dog, Family Feast Night, Fireworks
Tuesday: Donnelly Day (U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly)
