FORT WAYNE – The TinCaps’ franchise record-tying 10-game winning streak ended Thursday night with a 7-4 setback against the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Bowling Green Ballpark. Fort Wayne continues to lead the Eastern Division by 2 1/2 games on West Michigan with 18 games remaining in the regular season.

Bowling Green (26-26, 62-60) scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to erase a 3-2 deficit. With the Hot Rods up 4-3 and with runners at the corners, Cade Gotta hit a fly ball down the left-field line that appeared to hook foul. Instead, it was ruled fair and a home run, increasing the home team’s lead to 7-3.

For Gotta, a California native whose parents are originally from Fort Wayne, it was his second homer of the night. The right fielder also homered in the fifth inning to tie the game, 1-1.

Fort Wayne (34-18, 66-54) showed its patented resiliency in the top of the ninth, yet it wasn’t enough. The TinCaps loaded the bases with no outs, but only managed one run.

The TInCaps initially took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Catcher Jose Ruiz hit a two-out single to score left fielder Franchy Cordero.

The visitors broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth with a pair of unearned runs. The Hot Rods responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning.

Kyle Bird (W, 3-0) threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, while T.J. Weir (L, 5-4) took the loss.

The TinCaps continue their road trip Friday at South Bend. Fort Wayne’s Chris Huffman (7-6, 3.18) is scheduled to start the 7:35 game against James Norwood (2-1, 3.71). The game can be heard on WOWO, TinCaps.com, and the TuneIn Radio app.