TinCaps hang on late to beat Whitecaps

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — The TinCaps built a cushion over the first five innings.

They had to hang on during the final four.

The Fort Wayne TinCaps staved off a comeback attempt from the West Michigan Whitecaps to grab a 5-4 victory Tuesday at Fifth Third Ballpark.

It was the first time this season the TinCaps (24-25) had won three straight road games. It was also the ninth victory in the last dozen games for Fort Wayne.

West Michigan (18-33), the Detroit Tigers’ affiliate that has lost seven in a row, ended the shutout with an RBI triple from Wenceel Perez to score Jordan Pearce and make it 5-1.

Christopher Proctor and Ulrich Bojarski hit RBI singles in the seventh inning as West Michigan trimmed the margin to 5-3, and it got within one on an errant pickoff attempt from TinCap reliever Carlos Belen.

Belen bounced back from the mishap to record his third save in his last four attempts.

Michael Curry, who finished with two hits, put the TinCaps on the board in the top of the first inning on his two-run double with two outs. Jawaun Harris ripped an RBI double an inning later, and Agustin Ruiz roped a two-run single in the fifth as the Fort Wayne raced out to a 5-0 lead.

The TinCaps totaled five doubles, matching their season high. Two of catcher Blake Hunt’s three hits went for two bases.

Gabe Mosser improved his record to 4-2 by allowing one earned run on five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk in six innings.

Fort Wayne and West Michigan continue their four-game series with a doubleheader today. Joey Cantillo was the probable TinCap starter for the 11 a.m. game, and Adrian Martinez takes the hill in game two.

The TinCaps complete their eight-game Michigan road trip Thursday at West Michigan before returning home Friday for six games — three each against the Great Lakes Loons and Lake County Captains.