COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – The first-place TinCaps fell to the second-place West Michigan Whitecaps, 1-0, on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Ballpark. Fort Wayne holds a three-game lead over West Michigan with five games remaining in the regular season. If the TinCaps beat the Whitecaps either of the next two nights, then Fort Wayne clinches the division title.

West Michigan (39-26, 72-62) held off a TinCaps division title for at least one more night thanks to an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Joey Pankake knocked a one-out single against Griffin Russell (L, 1-1). Then with two outs, Francisco Contreras hit an infield single to third base that was thrown wildly to first, allowing Pankake to advance to third and Contreras to second. That set the stage for the number nine hitter David Gonzalez to come through with an RBI single to center field. Michael Gettys threw Contreras out at the plate to keep it a one-run game.

Fort Wayne (42-23, 74-59) had chances to score but went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left six on base. First baseman Trae Santos belted a pair of doubles, including one in the ninth with two outs, but pinch-runner Rey Bruguera was stranded at third.

The TinCaps wasted a terrific start by Pete Kelich, who scattered four hits and two walks over six scoreless frames. His counterpart, A.J. Ladwig (W, 12-9), was just as good, tossing seven innings of no-run ball. Gerson Moreno (S, 1) locked down the eighth and ninth.

The middle game of this series is set for Thursday at 7:00. Right-hander Dinelson Lamet (5-7, 2.99) will start for the TinCaps against righty Jeff Thompson (6-11, 3.99). The game can be heard on ESPN Radio 1380, TinCaps.com, and the TuneIn Radio app.