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FORT WAYNE – The TinCaps put the winning run on base in the ninth inning, but the Lake County Captains took the series opener, 3-2, on Friday night at Parkview Field.

Peter Van Gansen smacked a two-out single, and Kodie Tidwell followed with a base knock of his own. However, Captains reliever Kieran Lovegrove (S, 6) entered the game and induced a groundout to eliminate the threat.

Carlos Belen gave Fort Wayne (20-34 second half, 56-68 overall) an early lead, ripping an RBI double to score Van Gansen in the bottom of the first frame.

Lake County (25-28, 65-58) pulled ahead for good during the third inning. Martin Cervenka brought home Jodd Carter with an RBI double and later scored on a single from Bobby Ison.

The Captains added a run in the fifth. Will Castro’s RBI double plated Anthony Miller, pushing their lead to 3-1.

During the home eighth, Brad Zunica closed the gap with an RBI single that scored Austin Allen.

TinCaps starter Jake Nix (L, 2-7) surrendered just one earned run over five innings. Corey Kimber provided three scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out a pair. David Bednar sent down Lake County one-two-three in the ninth.

Casey Shane (W, 8-10) threw 6.2 innings for the Captains, striking out seven and ceding one run. Cortland Cox picked up his fifth hold of the season.

The TinCaps are back in action Saturday night at Parkview Field, a 7:05 p.m. start.