Fort Wayne TinCaps (13-22) vs. Beloit Snappers (16-17)
RHP Hansel Rodriguez (4.39) vs. LHP Dalton Sawyer (2.10)
Saturday, May 13, 2017— Parkview Field — First Pitch 7:05 p.m. — Game 36
LAST NIGHT: A 5-run fifth inning wasn’t enough for the TinCaps in a 9-5 loss to the Snappers. Beloit built a 6-0 lead before Fort Wayne rallied, keyed by a bases-clearing Eguy Rosario triple.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: The TinCaps have a chance to win a series for the first time since taking 2 of 3 from West Michigan (April 17-19). Fort Wayne is 0-4-2 in series since… A victory also would put the TinCaps at 3-3 on their homestand.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY: The Midwest League if off on Sunday.
BIG HOMESTAND COMING UP: Following Sunday’s day off and 3 games at Lansing, the TinCaps will host the Great Lakes Loons next Thursday-Sunday (May 18-21). That series will include Colts Night on Thursday, Star Wars Night on Friday, BirdZerk! on Saturday, and Postgame Autographs on Sunday. (Fireworks Thursday-Saturday)
TATIS TAKES TOP SPOT: It’s only been 4 games so far, but in the leadoff spot, Fernando Tatis Jr. is 8-for-18 (.444) with 2 walks and 2 stolen bases. (He’s hit .207 in 25 games as the No. 3 hitter and .278 in 4 games as the 5-hole hitter.) Tatis is tied for 2nd in the MWL in games played (33) and 9th in stolen bases (8).
SUWINSKI’S DISCIPLINED APPROACH: Jack Suwinski has seen a MWL-leading average of 5.27 pitchers per plate appearance this season. He’s also tied for 2nd in the MWL games played (33) and 3rd in walks (25).
BOYKIN’S POWER SURGE: Going back to 2015, Rod Boykin had appeared in 81 regular season games in a row without a home run before he hit one on April 23. He now has 4 homers in his last 16 games (including 2 of the last 3). In his fifth season as a pro, this is a career high for Boykin, who’s currently on a season-long 10-game on-base streak. Boykin slashed .154/.267/.250 in 18 games. Through 10 May contests, his line reads .313/.421/.688.
AS A TEAM: The TinCaps are tied for the MWL lead in walks (143; 4.2/G) and have the 2nd most stolen bases (36).
PADRES PRESENCE: The following members of San Diego’s staff are here… Hitting Instructor Oscar Bernard… Meanwhile, the Padres are currently playing on the road against the Chicago White Sox. San Diego’s current 25-man roster includes 4 former TinCaps: RHP Kevin Quackenbush (2011), C Austin Hedges (2012), INF Cory Spangenberg (2011), and OF Hunter Renfroe (2013).
A’S PROSPECTS: Beloit’s roster features 1 Top 30 Oakland prospect, per MLB.com… RHP Dakota Chalmers (No. 13).
