TinCaps Recover For Win
FORT WAYNE – Rod Boykin had three RBIs and scored the game-winning run to propel the TinCaps past the Lansing Lugnuts, 5-4, on Thursday night at Parkview Field in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Lansing (19-18) managed one run during each of the first two innings, but Boykin took advantage of a two-out error in the bottom of the second frame.
Gunnar Heidt mishandled a ground ball, which allowed Fort Wayne (21-19) to load the bases. Boykin then ripped a three-run triple to right-center field, bringing in Carlos Belen, Michael Gettys and Kodie Tidwell.
The Lugnuts made it 3-3 in their next at-bat when Juan Kelly skied his second sacrifice fly of the night. Kelly put Lansing ahead 4-3 during the top of the sixth, scoring on Connor Panas’ sac fly.
In the bottom of the frame, Mason Smith responded by smacking a sacrifice fly of his own. Belen—who was 2-for-2 with a double, two walks and an RBI—notched the game-tying tally.
After Angel Mejia (W, 1-1) worked a scoreless inning, Boykin hit a leadoff single. He advanced to second on Peter Van Gansen’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Ruddy Giron’s RBI single.
Trey Wingenter (S, 2) finished off Lansing, throwing 1.2 innings of no-hit relief to help Fort Wayne record two victories in the three-game series. Enyel De Los Santos started for the TinCaps and went a season-long six frames.
Gustavo Pierre (L, 1-1) took the loss after surrendering a pair of runs.
Next game is Friday, May 20 versus West Michigan at Parkview Field, a 7:05 p.m. start.