The TinCaps qualified for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season with its 7-0 victory against West Michiganin front of 7,721 fans Friday at Parkview Field.

Fort Wayne scored four runs in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach.

The victory gives the TinCaps a three-game lead over West Michigan with three games to go. The TinCaps won the season series 10-9, which is the first tie-breaker for a playoff spot.

Fort Wayne is battling Lake County for the top spot in the Eastern Division in the second half of the season. Fort Wayne holds the edge in the case of a three-way tie with the Captains and the Whitecaps.

The TinCaps will face either Lansing or Bowling Green in the opening round. Game 1 will take place Wednesday at Parkview Field.

The TinCaps scored their run in the bottom of the first.

Travis Jankowski singled and advanced to second on an error. Jace Peterson moved Jankowski to third with a bunt. Yeison Asencio brought him home with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Kyle Gaedele drove in a run with a single in the fifth inning to make it 2-0.

The Whitecaps loaded the bases with one out in the sixth. James Jones entered and got Jason King to hit into an inning-ending double play.

Fort Waynethen scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Travis Jankowski singled. Jace Peterson followed with a bunt single.

Yeison Asencio, the team’s No. 3 hitter, moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt.

Travis Whitmore was called on as a pinch hitter, but then was intentionally walked to load the bases for Austin Hedges.

Hedges madeWest Michigan pay with a two-run single to right field.

The TinCaps loaded the bases again later in the inning. With two outs, Tyler Stubblefield hit a pop-up to shallow left field. Shortstop Eugenio Suarez couldn’t make the catch. Two runs scored on the error to make it 6-0.

The TinCaps added a run in the eighth.

The TinCaps close the regular season with three games at Bowling Green.