Travis Whitmore’s day began on the bench.It ended with his teammates mobbing him between first and second base.FORT WAYNE – Matt Jackson sported a blue goatee as he walked around the TinCaps’ locker room at Parkview Field.
Several Fort Wayne players, including Jackson, made changes to the hair on their head or face as a sign of solidarity for the playoffs.
The TinCaps also made a change to its pitching rotation as a result of rain that forced Wednesday’s postponement of Game 1 of the Eastern Division first-round series with Bowling Green.
The TinCaps will pitch Jackson in the first game of the series, rescheduled for 7:05 p.m. today at Parkview Field. Mark Hardy will start Game 2 on Friday in Bowling Green, Ky. Hardy was originally scheduled to pitch the opener. With the extra day, ace Keyvius Sampson could be in line to pitch Game 3, if necessary, on Saturday.
Jackson is making his fourth start since returning from the disabled list with an oblique injury. He was originally listed as the Game 2 starter, which would have been today.
“We wanted to keep (Jackson) on a five-man rotation, make sure he doesn’t hurt himself,” TinCaps manager Shawn Wooten said. “Either way (Jackson or Hardy), you can’t go wrong. Either one is a Game 1 starter.”
Jackson went on the disabled list July 1 and returned Aug. 22. The right-hander has given up one earned run in 12 1/3 innings during his three starts since returning.
“I’m glad to be back. I worked hard to get back. I wanted to help the guys because I knew we had a chance for the playoffs,” Jackson said. “I was happy to be able to help the guys. I can still feel my side a little bit, but I’ve heard it’s like a hamstring deal, you’re still going to feel it.
“But sometimes I feel it helps me stay within my limits. I’m healthy, ready to go.”
Jackson has a 5-1 record with a 1.95 ERA this year. He has 68 strikeouts and just 12 walks in 64 2/3 innings.
“This year, I’ve just been able to be consistent,” he said. “I’m throwing four pitches for strikes this year. Not getting too high or too low has helped me out a lot this year.”
Jackson was one of four Fort Wayne All-Stars.
“He’s picked up from where he left off. Getting his pitch count up was one of the things to make sure he was healthy. We started at 60, then 75 and now we are beyond that,” Wooten said.
“He is efficient with his pitches, locates down in the zone with all of his pitches; commands the strike zone better than a lot of people I’ve seen at this level. He attacks hitters. He knows how to hit, he knows how to do some things to set up hitters. He’s beyond his years for this level. He’s been huge for us.”
Notes: George Jensen will remain Bowling Green’s starter for Game 1. … All tickets purchased for Wednesday’s game will be valid today, same seat locations. Fort Wayne will have its Thirsty Thursday drink promotion and postgame fireworks.
