May 9, 2014 5 min read

When the Wild Things traded Jovan Rosa to Traverse City during the offseason in exchange for Frontier League Pitcher of the Year Scott Dunn, it gave Washington a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher but also created a gaping hole at third base – Rosa’s old position – that caused manager Bart Zeller concern.

Now, less than a week before the start of the regular season, it seems the Wild Things have as many as three experienced and capable third basemen.

Third baseman Carter Bell, who was added to the roster Friday, hit a solo home run through the gusting wind Friday to give the Wild Things a 1-0 victory over the Lake Erie Crushers in the second game of an exhibition doubleheader. The teams played to a 1-1 eight-inning tie in the morning game. The afternoon game was shortened to five innings.

Bell wasn’t the only Washington third baseman who made an impact. Garrett Rau was 2-for-3 in the opener and reached base three times, then he was 1-for-2 in the second game. Yeurys Tejada, who has played only shortstop in the three exhibition games against Lake Erie, also can play third base. In the opening game, Tejada was 2-for-3 with a stolen base and reached base four times.

“I feel much better about the position,” Zeller said. “Tejada can play shortstop and third base. He has shown plus-arm strength. Rau has been a pleasant surprise with his hitting. He puts the barrel on the ball and hits to all fields. Bell made some strong throws and he showed some power. They’ve done a good job at third base.”

A native of Canada who played college ball at Oregon State, Bell spent more than three season in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ system. He put up respectable numbers and played an entire season at the high-Class A level. Last month, however, the Diamondbacks had no roster spot for Bell. He was hid on the disabled list for a while – “I wasn’t even hurt,” Bell said – and played one game for low-Class A South Bend of the Midwest League. Bell knew he wasn’t going to get many at-bats with Arizona, so he asked to be released.

“The Diamondbacks are one of the best organizations in baseball. They’re so deep at every position,” Bell said. “I thought I played well enough in spring training this year to make a club. But I had my opportunity the last two years. It was my idea to be released. It was what I needed. I need to get at-bats.”

While looking for a new job in baseball, Bell had a couple of connections to the Wild Things, and they paid off with a contract offer. Bell knew center fielder Danny Poma, who Washington acquired in an offseason trade. Poma had played in the Diamondbacks’ system. And former major leaguer Gil Heredia, who is a coach in the Arizona organization, is friends with new Wild Things hitting coach Bob Didier. Heredia suggested Carter contact the Wild Things.

“The odd thing is, when the Wild Things called me, they were picking up Poma at the airport,” Carter said.

Rau, meanwhile, has been with Washington since the start of camp. The native Californian was signed as a free agent April 21 after spending two years in the independent American Association as an infielder, which came after two years in the Boston Red Sox system as a pitcher. The latter position is where Rau had planned to play this year until the Wild Things called and asked if he wanted to play third base.

“I had been working out as a pitcher in the offseason,” Rau said. “I was doing the throwing program until three weeks ago. That’s when I finally picked up a bat again. I’m starting to feel comfortable at the plate again.”

The 25-year-old Rau batted .268 with Amarillo two years ago and .276 with Laredo last summer. Those numbers were put up in a league with more experienced pitchers than Rau will face in the Frontier League. He was one of the youngest players in Amarillo and Laredo. With Washington, he’s playing against players his own age.

“Here is a whole different scene,” he said. “I’m happy to be in the Frontier League.”

The three games against the Crushers in less than 24 hours did little to sort out the Wild Things’ pitching staff. Washington has allowed only one run in 22 innings. Starter Alex Kaminsky gave up the run in an effective four-inning stint Friday morning. Relievers Tyler Elrod and Jhonny Montoya then combined for four shutout innings.

Starter Tim Flight (three innings) and relievers Pat Butler and Jonathan Kountis (one each) pitched the shutout in the second game. The Crushers’ only hit was a single off the mound by Ryan Hutchinson in the fifth inning.

After the game, Washington released utility player Andrew Heck, catcher Michael Pair and pitcher Zach Fleshman. There are 33 players on the roster, nine more than the league’s opening day limit. … The Wild Things and Crushers will play single games today and Sunday in Avon, Ohio.