Sweep bid falls short

MIDLAND, Mich. — The TinCaps were on the verge of a series sweep for the first time in almost a month.

The offense wasn’t able to rally yet again.

The Fort Wayne TinCaps dropped the series finale 3-0 to the Great Lakes Loons on Monday at Dow Diamond. The TinCaps (6-12, 39-47 overall) were unable to earn a three-game sweep of the Loons (8-10, 51-34), a Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate.

It would have been the first sweep of a three-game series since taking three on the road at Bowling Green from June 11 to 13.

Joey Cantillo, who a week earlier was named Midwest League Pitcher of the Month for June, was far from his normal self in the early going as he allowed two runs in the first inning. Jair Camargo walked with the bases loaded for the game’s first run, and Luke Heyer bounced out Justin Lopez at shortstop as Romer Cuadrado came home.

Cantillo, a 19-year-old Hawaiian, returned to form following the second run to retire the next nine batters. He later allowed another run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Jacob Amaya hit an RBI double to extend the Loons’ lead.

The righty, who dipped to 6-3 on the season, scattered five hits over five innings while striking out seven and walking three.

Fort Wayne, which has lost eight of its last 11 games, threatened in the top of the ninth inning with bases loaded. Tucupita Marcano and Grant Little singled to lead off the frame and Dwanya Williams-Sutton walked with one out, but Great Lakes pitcher Zach Willeman induced a game-ending double play as the Loons prevented the sweep.

Marcano finished with two hits, as Lee Solomon and Juan Fernandez also contributed singles.

Fort Wayne is off tonight and begins a three-game set with the Burlington Bees (7-11, 46-42) on Thursday at Community Field in Burlington, Iowa.