Fort Wayne TinCaps (20-32 – 7th, 56-66) @ Dayton Dragons (19-33 – 8th, 40-82)
RHP J.C. Cosme (8-6, 3.38) vs. LHP Ty Boyles (4-8, 5.45)
Thursday, Aug. 18 — Fifth Third Field — First Pitch 7:00 p.m. — Game 123
LAST NIGHT: The TinCaps lost to the Dragons, 2-0.
ROSTER MOVE: Today the Padres activated RHP Austin Smith from Fort Wayne’s Disabled List. Smith had been on the DL since Aug. 2 with tightness in his right arm. Manager Anthony Contreras called Smith’s DL stint a “precautionary” measure. Smith takes the empty spot on the team’s roster after José Castillo was called up to the Advanced-A Lake Elsinore Storm on Monday. Expect Smith to pitch out of the bullpen tonight.
LONGEST ON-BASE STREAK IN MWL: After a single last night, Tyler Selesky is on a 20-game on-base streak (all 20 games he’s played with the TinCaps). It’s the longest active streak in the league.
TINCAPS VS. BOYLES: This is the fourth time the TinCaps are seeing the southpaw Ty Boyles this season. He has a 1-1 record and 2.50 ERA against Fort Wayne. In 18 innings, he’s struck out 18 while walking 7. The TinCaps have a .226 average against him. Of note, Austin Allen hit a 2-run homer off Boyles in Fort Wayne on June 4.
ON THIS DAY: In 1934, Roberto Clemente was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico. That’s about 26 miles (or 42 kilometers) from where tonight’s TinCaps starter, J.C. Cosme, was born in Toa Alta. Both cities are on the northern part of the island near San Juan. Speaking of Puerto Rico, during these Olympics, 22-year-old Monica Puig won the Commonwealth’s first ever gold medal by triumphing in the women’s tennis tournament.
MANATEES MEET UP: First baseman Brad Zunica is playing against a couple of former collegiate teammates in this series in Dayton infielder Brantley Bell and outfielder Mitch Piatnick. The trio played together at the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota in 2015. They posed for a picture on the field after last night’s game. Fittingly, the school’s teams are nicknamed the Manatees.
EASTERN DIVISION SECOND HALF WILD CARD RACE
Team W-L GB
Lansing 26-26 —
Great Lakes 24-27 1.5
Lake County 23-28 2.5
Fort Wayne 20-32 6.0
Dayton 19-33 7.0
South Bend (division title) & West Michigan (wild card) clinched first half playoff spots. Bowling Green leads Lansing by 7.5 games.
BIG FUN COMING UP AT PARKVIEW FIELD
Friday: F•R•I•E•N•D•S Night / Postgame Fireworks
Saturday: Water Bobble Giveaway / Myron Noodleman / Fireworks
Sunday: Burt Hooton Bobblehead Giveaway / Postgame Autographs
