Wild Things rally for 8-7 win at Joliet
JOLIET, Ill. – Logan Uxa and David Popkins hit home runs and Andrew Heck scored the game-winning run in the eighth inning, racing home from third base on a fielder’s choice, as the Wild Things rallied Tuesday night for an 8-7 victory over the Joliet Slammers at Silver Cross Field.
Washington, which pulled to within three games of the East Division-leading Slammers, squandered an early 4-0 lead and fell behind 7-4 in the sixth inning. Uxa, who was 3-for-4, hit a game-tying three-run homer in the seventh.
Washington took an 8-7 lead in the eighth. Andrew Heck and Ricky Rodriguez hit consecutive one-out singles to put runners on first and third base. Newly signed Chris Grayson then beat out a potential double play grounder, allowing Heck to score.
Popkins hit a two-run homer in Washington’s three-run first inning.
Washington starter Trevor Foss gave up 12 hits and seven runs in five innings. Reliever Andrew Woeck (2-0), who three four hitless and shutout innings, was the winning pitcher.
Prior to the game, Washington placed starting outfielder Nick Ferdinand on the suspended list and Grayson was signed to fill the roster spot.
Ferdinand is the third position player in three days to leave the team.
Center fielder Jamal Austin and second baseman Bryan Haar each were placed on the retired list Sunday and Monday, respectively.
“All of those players decided to move on and pursue jobs and family situations,” Washington manager Gregg Langbehn explained. “There are no hard feelings. We appreciate them letting us know ahead of time. Everyone deserves to make their own life decisions.”
Ferdinand was Washington’s starting left fielder since joining the team June 9 after being released by the Atlantic League’s York Revolution, who are managed by former Wild Things manager and pitching coach Mark Mason.
Ferdinand was batting .263 with one home run and 11 RBI in 17 games.
Grayson, a 26-year-old outfielder, who is in his sixth season of professional baseball.
He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 13th round in 2011 out of Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn.
Grayson played last season in the independent American Association for Sioux Falls and batted .290 with 11 stolen bases in 68 games. He was batting .229 in 21 games this season before being released June 27.
The Wild Things and Slammers will play the second game of the three-game series at 11 a.m. Wednesday.