Wild Things continue winning ways on road
NORMAL, Ill. – Anthony Collazo pitched five shutout innings in his second start of the season and the Wild Things broke open a close game in the ninth inning to defeat the Normal CornBelters, 7-2, Wednesday at The Corn Crib.
The Wild Things, who won seven of their last eight road games, moved to within one game of East Division leader Evansville.
A former University of Oklahoma pitcher, Collazo gave up four hits and one walk. The lefty struck out five and exited with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of a solo homer by Stewart Ijames.
The Wild Things broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the seventh. A.J. Nunziato doubled in the go-ahead run and scored on Shain Stoner’s single. After Normal pulled to within 3-2 in the eighth, Washington scored four runs in the ninth, taking advantage of two errors by the CornBelters, whyo began the night tied for first place in the West Division. Jovan Rosa and Rogelio Noris each drove in a run in the ninth.
Shawn Blackwell (2-2) was the winning pitcher in relief. Matt Phillips earned his first save by getting the final six outs.
Washington had 14 hits. Every player in the starting lineup had at least one hit.