The TinCaps gave up four runs in the eighth inning against the South Bend Cubs on Friday, falling 8-5 for their third loss of the series.
Entering the frame tied at 4, the TinCaps (50-55, 19-21 second half) allowed the first four batters they faced aboard, including a two-RBI double by Leonel Espinoza that put the Cubs ahead.
Both teams scored their first run in the third inning, with Braedon Karpathios staying hot for the TinCaps with an RBI single. The Cubs tied the game at 1 on a throwing error by TinCaps second baseman Zach Evans.
After Brendan Durfee brought in a TinCaps run on a sac fly in the top of the fourth, Edgar Alvarez responded in the bottom half with a three-RBI double to put the Cubs ahead 4-2.
The TinCaps tied it at 4 in the seventh, first scoring off an RBI single by Kai Roberts. Roberts reached second on an error and stole third, allowing him to score on a Ryan Jackson sacrifice fly.
Left-hander Bodi Rascon and the TinCaps loaded the bases in the eighth on a fielding error, a walk and an infield single. Fort Wayne finished the night with three errors. Espinoza scored two runs on a double to put the Cubs ahead. After Rascon was pulled, a sac fly by Cristian Hernandez and an RBI single by Ariel Armas pushed the lead to 8-4.
Kasen Wells recorded an RBI fielder’s choice for the TinCaps’ lone run of the ninth inning.
While the TinCaps managed 10 hits, they were 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position and struck out 10 times. Karpathios, Lamar King Jr. and Jack Costello each had two hits.
The TinCaps will send right-hander Will Varmette (1-2, 8.44 ERA) to the mound against Cubs left-hander Evan Aschenbeck (3-4, 2.75 ERA) at 7:05 p.m. today.