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FORT WAYNE – TinCaps starter Jerry Keel dazzled over seven innings and Fort Wayne snuck across two runs in the eighth to topple the West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers), 3-1, on Thursday night in front of 8,497 fans – the 16th sellout of the season at Parkview Field.

The TinCaps (12-21 second half, 48-55 overall) broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat the Whitecaps (14-16, 53-44) and secure the series win in the three-game set.

Keel worked a career-long seven innings, matching the longest outing by a Fort Wayne starter this season. The southpaw surrendered just five hits and only allowed the one run, while punching out six.

The TinCaps snatched a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when shortstop Ruddy Giron scored on a balk by Whitecaps starter Eudis Idrogo.

The Whitecaps leveled the score in the fifth on a trio of hits.

In the home eighth inning, TinCaps catcher Austin Allen and third baseman Carlos Belen reached to begin the frame. Designated hitter Marcus Greene Jr. then dropped down a sacrifice bunt, and West Michigan first baseman Will Allen’s error allowed Austin Allen to score to push the TinCaps ahead 2-1. Right fielder Jhonatan Peña then rocketed an RBI double to left-center field to plate Belen and tack on an insurance run.

TinCaps right-hander David Bednar (W, 1-2) worked scoreless eighth and ninth frames and notched four strikeouts.

Whitecaps righty Logan Longwith (L, 0-2) allowed the two runs in the eighth.

The series resumes Friday at 7:05 p.m.