FORT WAYNE – Carlos Belen and Peter Van Gansen hit solo home runs, but the TinCaps fell to the West Michigan Whitecaps, 7-4, on Tuesday night at Parkview Field.

West Michigan (37-25) jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead during the first inning. Jose Azocar hit an RBI single, and Leo Laffita brought home a pair of Whitecaps on a base knock. Brett Pirtle later scored on a balk.

After Azocar added another RBI single in the third frame, Fort Wayne (35-30) started to chip away.

During the bottom of the third, Jhonatan Peña smacked a two-out hit, and Kodie Tidwell followed with a single. Van Gansen singled home Peña.

Whitecaps center fielder Derek Hill responded with an RBI single before Belen launched his third home run of the season in the home half of the fourth, trimming the gap to 6-2.

TinCaps starter Austin Smith (L, 1-4) surrendered six runs over four innings.

Fort Wayne added two runs in the sixth inning. Van Gansen hit a leadoff home run-his first of the season-and Michael Gettys came around on an RBI single from Belen.

Gettys recorded a hit for the ninth straight game, while Tidwell improved his on-base streak to 25 games and hitting streak to 10.

West Michigan starter Trent Szkutnik (W, 3-0) allowed four runs in six-plus innings of work. Drew Smith (H, 3) struck out all five batters he faced, bridging the gap to closer Gerson Moreno (S, 11). He worked a scoreless ninth frame.

Fort Wayne, which lost 8-3 on Monday, will attempt to salvage the three-game series on Wednesday night.

The two teams will continue its series Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.