Belen’s Homer, Pitching Lift TinCaps
MIDLAND, Mich. – The offensively challenged TinCaps were no-hit for 6 2/3 innings on Wednesday night, yet somehow Fort Wayne found a way to beat the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers), 2-1, at Dow Diamond.
Third baseman Carlos Belen broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the ninth inning against Ivan Vieitez (L, 2-4) with a two-out, opposite-field home run over the fence in right near the foul pole. It was the 20-year-old’s 11th long ball of the season — his eighth of the second half.
The TinCaps (22-37, 58-71) had tied the game with an unearned run in the seventh. Designated hitter Tyler Selesky drew a two-out walk against Luis De Paula. Belen then singled — Fort Wayne’s first hit of the game — to advance Selesky to second. He scored when Jose Carlos UreƱa hit a grounder to second base that was thrown away.
The Loons (28-30, 57-71) led 1-0 after scoring a run in the first. But after that, Logan Allen (3 2/3 innings), David Bednar (1 1/3 innings), and Austin Smith (W, 4-6) put up zeroes. Smith allowed only one hit and a walk over four frames. He struck out the side in order in the eighth and K-ed two more in the ninth for the win.
For Allen, it was his first appearance with the TinCaps since going on the disabled list on June 11.
Next game for the two teams is Thursday at 7:05 p.m.