TinCaps lose, draw Lansing

Full Count

Ruben Mejia and Bryan Rodriguez did well on the mound for the TinCaps, but it was squandered in a 3-2 loss to the Lake County Captains in Eastlake, Ohio, on Saturday.Saturday

TinCaps win at Lake County

The TinCaps opened a four-game series at the Lake County Captains with a 4-3 win at Classic Park in Eastlake, Ohio.Friday

Hot Rods flip the script in final 3 innings

TinCaps manager Jose Valentin had little emotion after his team gave up a six-run lead and six innings of shutout ball against Bowling Green on Thursday.It was, he said, just one of those days.Thursday

A day after clinching a spot in the playoffs, the TinCaps lost 5-3 to Bowling Green on Saturday night in Kentucky.

But now we know who the TinCaps will face in the best-of-three playoff series that begins Wednesday at Parkview Field: The Lansing Lugnuts, who were the first-half champions of the Midwest League's Eastern Division.

Lake County grabbed the better playoff position thanks to its 3-2 victory over Lansing.

The TinCaps, who are the second-half wildcard team from the division, squandered a 3-1 lead at Bowling Green Ballpark by giving up four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. That came thanks to a Jeff Malm grand slam off of reliever Johnny Barbato, who blew a save for the third time this season.

Fort Wayne's starting pitcher, Frank Garces, went five innings, allowing one hit and one run, while striking out five.

All of the runs scored by Bowling Green(41-27 in second half, 79-59 overall) came off home runs.

Fort Wayne's Yeison Asencio was 3 for 5 with a run. Travis Jankowski and Kyle Gaedele had two hits apiece for the TinCaps (37-31, 68-70).