Fort Wayne pitcher Matt Jackson got off to a good start on not just Thursday, but the season as well. Making his initial start of the year, the right-hander threw five scoreless innings and helped the TinCaps to an easy 6-1 victory over South Bend at Parkview Field.
Offensively, it was Nate Freiman who paced the onslaught.
The first baseman had a pair of hits and as many RBIs.
The Duke alum wasted no time in making an impact, as he drove a pitch into center field with two men on in the first inning. Freiman's hit brought home Danny Payne for a 1-0 lead. Jedd Gyorko followed that hit with another run-scoring base hit to right field for a 2-0 advantage.
In the sixth inning, Payne singled, then advanced to third base via stolen bases. He scored on an RBI single by Jeudy Valdez, putting the TinCaps up 3-0.
Fort Wayne (54-48, 18-14 second half) went ahead 4-0 later in the inning after loading the bases. Edinson Rincon drew a base-on-balls and brought the run in.
In the seventh inning, Jason Hagerty connected for a sacrifice fly to center field, and Freiman followed with a run-scoring single for a 6-0 Fort Wayne lead.
The Silver Hawks (42-57, 12-19) scored in the eighth inning. Bobby Borchering singled home Ender Inciarte for the only Silver Hawks run of the night.
Fort Wayne reliever Jackson Quezada made his first appearance of the season in relief. He led the Midwest League in saves in 2008, but missed all of 2009 after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Jackson (2-1) earned the victory, as he allowed three hits, a walk and struck out one Silver Hawk in five innings. South Bend's Scottie Allen (3-4) took the defeat.
