TinCaps Hammer Chiefs 9-2

FORT WAYNE — There is no better example of the roller coaster of emotions that baseball, particularly in the minor leagues, can provide in 24 hours than the TinCaps’ weekend.

On Saturday night, the TinCaps were soundly beaten by the Peoria Chiefs 13-2, as very few things went right for them in any department.

Just 15 hours later, Fort Wayne beat the same club 9-3 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Parkview Field.

“It was a nice way to end the week,” said TinCaps manager Mike Daly. “It’s a lot of credit to our guys. Baseball is a great lesson you must take every day as it is that you must live in the moment.

“We’ve talked about this, that it may be a cliche, but you have to be able to move on the next day.”

Right-hander Braden Nett got things started with a solid performance in his second appearance since spending a month on the IL. Nett tossed a scoreless first inning, needing only 14 pitches to send the Chiefs down in order.

“He looked great and said he did too,” said Daly. “We liked what we saw but want to ensure he is fully healthy before he goes longer.”

The TinCaps broke the game open in the fourth inning, taking advantage of a few misplays in the outfield and an error to send 12 players to the plate and score seven runs.

Tyler Robertson delivered one of the big blows with a two-RBI single. The outfielder was 3-for-5 on the day to continue a torrid June in which he’s batting .462/.533/.615 with eight RBI in seven games.

“This year, I haven’t been getting a lot of first-pitch fastballs, but when I have, I’ve been able to do some damage,” said a smiling Robertson post-game.

After a rough May, Robertson shelved his leg kick to simplify his load, which has enabled him to be more direct to the ball.

Anthony Vilar started behind the plate after playing the last two games at first base. The Chiefs challenged him on the base paths as they stole second base off him in the second inning, and then Vilar gunned down the subsequent two runners attempting to steal in the same inning. Peoria elected not to run the rest of the game. At the plate, the left-handed hitter reached base four times with two RBI.

“He’s a brilliant and savvy player,” said Daly. “You can play him at so many positions, and he does many things to help you win. We do everything we can to get him in the lineup daily.”

Homer Bush Jr. also had a big offensive day with an infield single, three walks, and stole his 28th base of the year in 32 attempts, good for second in the Midwest League.

While the offense flourished, the TinCaps bullpen dominated, allowing only two hits with 10 punchouts. The Chiefs only runs came on a two-run home run in the fifth inning.

David Morgan continued his impressive streak working at the back of the bullpen, throwing the final two innings with a pair of strikeouts. 

After an April with an ERA of 10.38, the former center fielder from Hope International, who only threw 9.1 innings in college, has started to find his groove. He posted a 2.38 ERA in May; this month, he hasn’t given up a run in three appearances. He has 11 strikeouts against no walks in 4.2 innings.

 “He started rough, but he kept grinding, and he’s a legitimate big league prospect,” said his pitching coach, Thomas Eshelman. “His biggest improvement is he’s able to throw spin in the zone, which has gotten a lot of hitters off of sitting just on his fastball.

“Then again,” laughed Eschelman, “He’s throwing it at 98 mph, so that’s not a great thing to sit on.”

Notes: The TinCaps will head to Lake County to take on the Cleveland Guardians affiliate after settling for a 2-4 series at home.