FORT WAYNE – Despite terrific pitching, the TinCaps fell to the Quad Cities River Bandits (Houston Astros), 2-1, on Friday night at Parkview Field.

Quad Cities (12-10 second half, 43-48 overall) broke a 1-1 tie with a run in the third and held on in the rubber match of the three-game series with the TinCaps (9-13, 45-47).

TinCaps starter Jerry Keel (L, 5-9) allowed a pair of unearned runs over five innings of two-hit ball. Right-hander Blake Rogers followed with three shutout innings and only allowed one hit.

Down 1-0 after the top of the first, the TinCaps leveled the game in the home second when catcher Marcus Greene Jr. scored on an RBI groundout from center fielder Tyler Moore.

But Quad Cities starter Franklin Perez (W, 2-2) and reliever Albert Abreu (four innings of one-hit ball) combined to stymie the TinCaps.

Fort Wayne will welcome in Cedar Rapids Saturday for a 6:35 p.m. start Saturday night.

Of note around the diamond involving the TinCaps is the transaction of right-handed pitcher Anderson Espinoza, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in a trade for Drew Pomeranz. Espinoza was assigned to Fort Wayne’s roster.

On Monday, Baseball America ranked Espinoza as the No. 15 prospect in all of the Minors. The 18-year-old native of Venezuela is now the top-ranked prospect for the Padres by both Baseball America and MLB.com.

To make room on the roster, left-handed pitcher Thomas Dorminy was transferred from Fort Wayne to the Advanced-A Lake Elsinore Storm.