Whitecaps Extend Division Lead with Win Over Fort Wayne

For the second time in 24 hours and the third time this season, the Fort Wayne TinCaps hosted a sellout crowd at Parkview Field on Sunday afternoon. But despite the electric atmosphere and a late rally, the TinCaps fell just short in a 3-2 loss to the West Michigan Whitecaps.

The TinCaps (20-19) took an early lead in the first inning against West Michigan’s rehab pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long, who was making his second Major League rehab appearance. Nerwilian Cedeño singled and stole second base before scoring on a two-out RBI single by center fielder Braedon Karpathios. Gipson-Long settled in after the first, pitching 2 2/3 innings while allowing only that lone run.

Fort Wayne starter Eric Yost delivered a strong outing, pitching 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and lowering his ERA to 1.82, which ranks fourth lowest in the Midwest League. He was followed by scoreless relief from Eiker Huizi and Garrett Hawkins, keeping the game close.

West Michigan answered in the sixth inning with a three-run rally that included an error leading to two unearned runs. Izaac Pacheco’s go-ahead two-run double and Peyton Graham’s RBI single pushed the Whitecaps ahead 3-1.

The final moments were tense as the TinCaps mounted a rally in the ninth. Addison Kopack was hit by a pitch with two outs, followed by a walk to Brandon Butterworth. Nerwilian Cedeño then hit an RBI single down the right-field line, scoring Kopack and cutting the deficit to 3-2. However, Cedeño was thrown out attempting to stretch the hit into a double thanks to a perfect throw from Whitecaps right fielder Patrick Lee, who was making his 2025 debut after entering the game as an injury replacement for Wenceel Perez, another Tigers rehab player.

The throw from Lee to shortstop Johnny Peck ended the game, preserving the Whitecaps’ victory. Reliever Colin Fields earned his first career save by shutting down the late rally over two innings.

The loss was tough for the TinCaps in front of 7,394 passionate fans, marking another sold-out game at Parkview Field this season. Fort Wayne now prepares to continue its 12-game homestand on Tuesday against the Cedar Rapids Kernels, renewing a Midwest League rivalry for the first time since 2021.

With the win the West Michigan Whitecaps are 26-13 and maintains a three-game lead in the Midwest League Eastern Division, while Fort Wayne falls to 20-19.