Fort Wayne TinCaps (24-39 – 7th, 60-73) vs. West Michigan Whitecaps (28-33 – 6th, 67-61)
LHP Logan Allen vs. RHP Sandy Baez
Monday, Aug. 29 — Parkview Field — First Pitch 7:05 p.m. — Game 134
YESTERDAY: The TinCaps fell to the Whitecaps, 7-3, as West Michigan never trailed. The teams combined for 27 hits, and TinCaps C Austin Allen and DH Jose Carlos Ureña each went 3-for-4.
PACKED PARKVIEW FIELD: After the 20th sell-out crowd of the season (7,781) Saturday and a massive crowd (7,043) Sunday, the TinCaps have averaged 6,106 fans per game this season, which is on track to set a franchise record. Fort Wayne’s attendance ranks 2nd out of 100 Single-A/Rookie clubs and is higher than 27 of 30 Double-A franchises and 12 of 30 Triple-A organizations.
TALKING ABOUT PLAYOFFS: With Great Lakes’ win Sunday (and the TinCaps’ eventual loss), the TinCaps are officially eliminated from playoff contention. Fort Wayne’s streak of 7 straight seasons reaching the playoffs was the longest active streak in all of MiLB or MLB. Advanced-A Myrtle Beach (Cubs) has already clinched a spot in the Carolina League playoffs to stretch its streak to 6 straight years.
ALLEN’S RETURN: After a few days out of the lineup, catcher Austin Allen has returned in a big way. The All-Star backstop went 3-for-5 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs on Saturday and followed that up with a 3-for-4 day Sunday with another RBI. Allen ranks 4th in the Midwest League with a .317 batting average.
ALLEN’S RETURN, PART 2: Tonight’s starting pitcher, Logan Allen, is making his second appearance since his two-and-a-half-month stint on the Disabled List ended. Allen, who went on the shelf in early June with mild left elbow soreness, rejoined the TinCaps rotation on Wednesday against Great Lakes. The 19-year old began the season as one of the youngest pitchers in the Midwest League and posted a 3.07 ERA in the first half.
PETEY ON THE PROWL: 2B Peter Van Gansen has posted three consecutive multi-hit games after a 2-for-4 night Friday, a 4-for-5 showing Saturday and a 2-for-3 performance Sunday. Van Gansen, whose average had dripped all the way to .214 a few weeks ago, is now up to .237 and is hitting .292 in August with 12 runs, 3 doubles, 5 RBIs and 8 walks.
BREATHING ROOM: Before the 15-4 win Saturday and 7-3 loss Sunday, the TinCaps had played in 3 straight games that were decided by no more than 2 runs (with no more than 3 runs total scored in any of them). The TinCaps have played in 19 games in August decided by 3 runs or fewer.
THERE’S THE OFFENSE: With a 20-hit night Saturday and a 12-hit performance Sunday, the TinCaps have recorded double-digit hits in consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 5-6 (against South Bend and Lansing) and just the third time in August.
THE ROAD AHEAD: After a day off Tuesday, the TinCaps host the Great Lakes Loons for the final home series of the season Wednesday-Friday at Parkview Field.
