TinCaps See Win Streak Stopped
FORT WAYNE – For the first time since Thursday, the TinCaps lost on Tuesday night at West Michigan, 7-1.
Fort Wayne starter Dinelson Lamet struck out a career-high nine Whitecaps batters in the losing effort at Fifth Third Ballpark.
The TinCaps entered Tuesday having won 16 of their last 25. A big part of Fort Wayne’s recent success can be attributed to playing sound defense. But that was not the case on this night as the TinCaps matched a season high for errors with five. (It had only previously happened at home on May 13 against Lake County.) Between the five errors and a passed ball, only two runs for the Whitecaps were earned.
West Michigan (31-33) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with its first unearned run of the game. The Whitecaps added two runs in the third (one earned), another unearned run in the fifth, and two runs (one earned) in the sixth to build a 6-0 lead.
Fort Wayne (28-35) scored its lone run in the top of the seventh inning. Second baseman Felipe Blanco and advanced to third base on a single by shortstop Ruddy Giron. Designated hitter Nick Torres plated Blanco on a fielder’s choice grounder. The Whitecaps answered right back with a tally in the bottom of the seventh.
Lamet (L, 2-4) threw 92 pitches over five frames. Only one of the four runs he was charged with were earned. While he had nine strikeouts, he only walked one and gave up five hits.
Meanwhile, Spencer Turnbull (W, 5-2) — a top Tigers pitching prospect — was impressive for his 5 2/3 innings, limiting the TinCaps to four htis and two walks. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out five.
Fort Wayne and West Michigan meet again on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The TinCaps are slated to start left-hander Thomas Dorminy (5-4, 4.24) against righty Ross Seaton (5-3, 4.44). The game can be heard on ESPN Radio 1380, TinCaps.com, and the TuneIn Radio app.