Fort Wayne blows lead twice in loss

CLINTON, Iowa — The TinCaps had a comfortable three-run lead in the top of the 10th inning.

One swing of the bat and it was gone.

They went on top yet again in the 11th, and an errant throw ended the game.

A throwing error allowed two runs to score in the bottom of the 11th inning Monday as the Fort Wayne TinCaps lost to the Clinton LumberKings 6-5 at NelsonCorp Field.

Fort Wayne (7-17, 40-52) broke open a game that was tied for more than seven innings with a three-run 10th. Justin Lopez put the TinCaps on top 2-1 with a sacrifice fly, and Luke Becker added a two-run double.

Clinton (17-7, 50-43), a Miami Marlins affiliate, tied the game as Peyton Burdick hit a three-run home run off Carlos Belen in the bottom of the inning.

Fort Wayne’s Ethan Skender, who started the 11th on second base, reached third on a single from Agustin Ruiz and scored on a wild pitch to put the TinCaps back on top, 5-4.

The LumberKings loaded the bases with a walk and a hit by pitch in their half of the 11th before a Lopez throwing error scored two runs for Clinton’s walk-off win.

Michael Curry, Lee Solomon and Juwuan Harris all had hits for the TinCaps.

Fort Wayne’s Joey Cantillo shined, but did not factor into the decision.?He threw six innings, allowed one earned run on six hits and struck out eight, lowering his league-leading ERA to 2.03.

Adrian Martinez took the loss and was also charged with a blown save in 2/3 innings of relief.