COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. –  The TinCaps managed just five hits on Wednesday morning-turned afternoon in a 5-0 loss to the West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers) at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (31-14) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning without a hit to the outfield. Danny Woodrow led off with a bunt single. Woodrow used his speed to steal second base with Cam Gibson at the plate. Gibson then walked to put runners at first and second. Jacob Robson followed with a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Woodrow scored from third base, Gibson moved to third, and Robson advanced to second on a Blaise Salter sacrifice fly to right field for a 1-0 Whitecaps lead. Josh Lester followed with a sac fly to left that scored Gibson to extend the West Michigan advantage to 2-0.

The Whitecaps added to their lead in the fourth. Lester led off with a triple. After Cole Bauml struck out, Anthony Pereira singled to left field, scoring Lester to make it 3-0. Later in the inning, with Drew Longley on second base, Pereira at third, and one out, TinCaps catcher Webster Rivas made an errant throw on a pickoff attempt, allowing Pereira and Longley to score, stretching the West Michigan edge to 5-0.

Fort Wayne (17-29) had trouble figuring out West Michigan starting pitcher Alfred Gutierrez (W). The right-hander allowed just three hits in seven scoreless innings, while striking out seven batters and walking none.

TinCaps 19-year-old starting pitcher Mason Thompson (L) struck out four batters in four innings on the mound but allowed three earned runs in his Midwest League debut. Thompson is tabbed by MLB.com as the Padres’ No. 21 prospect.

Jim McDade, also making his TinCaps debut, followed after Thompson with four scoreless innings. The right-hander, who was signed by the Padres as a free agent last June, struck out four and didn’t walk any.

Fort Wayne designated hitter Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning. He has reached base in 20 consecutive games. It’s the longest active on-base streak in the Midwest League and tied for the fifth longest in the league this season.

MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT

The Fort Wayne TinCaps once again have partnered with the OmniSource Corporation and Steel Dynamics Inc. to welcome military personnel to Parkview Field for Military Appreciation Night on Tuesday, June 27, when the team hosts the South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs) at 7:05 p.m.

Complimentary tickets are currently available for military families—both active and veteran—to enjoy the game on June 27, thanks to the generosity of the OmniSource Corporation and Steel Dynamics Inc., and caring individual donors.

“It’s an honor to provide military families the appreciation they deserve on this special night,” said TinCaps President, Mike Nutter. “This gives us an opportunity to give back to the men and women, and their loved ones, who’ve done so much for this country. We’re proud to have partners in the OmniSource Corporation and Steel Dynamics Inc. to help us host this night.”

“The men and women of our OmniSource and SDI family are proud and honored to be a part of this celebration for our courageous United States military heroes,” said Russ Rinn, President & COO of the OmniSource Corporation. “We all know that because of them, we live in freedom.”

The TinCaps also have continued their partnerships with multiple military organizations offering military personnel in attendance the chance to visit kiosks highlighting many of the support organizations and offerings available to military—active and veteran—in the area.

For this game, TinCaps players will be wearing red, white, and blue jerseys designed by Rebekah Frey, a student at the University of St. Francis. The TinCaps also will wear these jerseys on the Fourth of July. On Independence Day, the jerseys will be auctioned off on TinCapsJersey.com, with proceeds being donated to Honor Flight Northeast Indiana.

Military personnel and their family who are eligible to request tickets to Military Appreciation Night can visit TinCapsMilitary.com for more information. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Those with questions can contact Aron Brecht of the TinCaps at 260-407-2809 or [email protected].

In addition, the TinCaps continue to take nominations for the team’s Military Salutes throughout the season.