Things start key series with victory
CRESTWOOD, Ill. – The Wild Things moved a little closer to a wild-card playoff spot with an important win Friday night.
Kane Sweeney hit a solo homer and later started Washington’s two-run seventh inning as the Wild Things edged Windy City 4-3 in the opener of a three-game series at Standard Bank Stadium.
The win moves the Wild Things to within a half-game of the final Frontier League playoff spot, currently held by Windy City. There are nine days left in the regular season.
The ThunderBolts led 2-0 before Sweeney led off the fifth inning with a solo homer, his 15th of the season. It was the first hit of the game for Washington off Windy City starter Clay Chapman (4-6). Washington made it 2-2 in the sixth when Rashad Brown’s triple scored Kyle Reese, who had singled.
Washington took a 4-2 lead in the seventh. Sweeney led off with a walk and scored when Hector Roa tripled with one out. Kyle Pollock’s sacrifice fly scored the second run of the inning.
Windy City made it close in the ninth against closer Zach Strecker. Tim Zier led off with a triple and scored on a groundout, but two strikeouts helped Strecker get his 20th save.
Trevor Foss (11-5) became the league’s first 11-game winner, going seven innings and giving up seven hits.