Snappers Rally To Bite TinCaps
BELOIT, Wisc. – Fort Wayne lost to the Beloit Snappers, 8-7, on Wednesday night at Pohlman Field. The home team scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to steal the victory after there were two outs and no one on base.
The TinCaps led 7-1 after 2 1/2 innings before the game got away from them. With Fort Wayne up 2-1 in the top of the third inning, first baseman Trae Santos launched a grand slam over the left-center field fence. It was the team’s first grand slam of the season, and Santos’ seventh long ball. Two batters later, center fielder Michael Gettys vaulted a solo homer of his own – his third this year – to virtually the same spot.
Snappers shortstop Yairo Munoz began Beloit’s comeback bid with a three-run homer in the bottom of the third inning that quickly cut Fort Wayne’s six-run lead down to 7-4. The Snappers got another run back in the fourth on an RBI-single by catcher Jose Chavez.
Chris Huffman replaced Jose Castillo on the mound in the fourth inning and threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Brandon Fry then pitched a perfect eighth inning. Seth Lucio (L, 3-2) came in for the ninth and retired the first two batters he faced. At that point, the TinCaps’ bullpen had gone 24 consecutive innings over five games without allowing a run.
That changed after Chavez drew a walk, James Harris singled, Trent Gilbert doubled in Chavez and Harris, and Munoz plated Gilbert with a single for a walk-off win.
Joey Wagman (W, 2-0) threw two scoreless innings as he earned the win.
Fort Wayne (21-31) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when designated hitter Franchy Cordero brought home shortstop Ruddy Giron with a single. After the Snappers tied it in the home first, catcher Jose Ruiz scored Gettys on a groundout.
The TinCaps and Snappers reconvene Thursday at 8:00 p.m. Right-hander Dinelson Lamet (0-3, 4.97) is set to start for Fort Wayne against righty Heath Fillmyer (0-5, 7.27). The game can be heard on ESPN Radio 1380, TinCaps.com, and the TuneIn Radio app.