Aug 31, 2017 4 min read

The Frontier League season consists of 96 games for each team over 16 weeks. It appears all 96 will be needed to determine if the Wild Things will be invited to the playoffs.

Though they picked up a much-needed victory Thursday night in the home finale, a 15-5 thumping of the Joliet Slammers, and moved closer to the first of the two wild-card playoff spots, they were unable to shake the pesky Windy City ThunderBolts, who won 4-0 at Lake Erie.

Evansville currently holds the first wild-card spot and the Otters are a half-game ahead of Washington. Windy City is a half-game back of the Wild Things while Normal and River City are clinging to remote playoff chances.

The logjam in the standings sets up what should be a wild final weekend of the regular season. The Wild Things will attempt to secure a postseason spot when they play four games in three days starting tonight at Traverse City. The Wild Things and Beach Bums will play a doubleheader Saturday.

“We couldn’t ask for anything more. All we have to do is win,” Washington manager Gregg Langbehn said. “It’s in our hands.”

All Washington can do to help its cause is continue to win.

And hitting like it did against Joliet wouldn’t hurt, either.

Washington had a season-high 21 hits to complete a series sweep and everybody got into the act.

Catcher Kyle Pollock broke open a close game with a three-run homer and Kyle Reese added a pinch-hit homer. Left fielder Bralin Jackson was 3-for-3 and drove in three runs, center fielder Rashad Brown scored four times, first baseman Kane Sweeney was 3-for-3 and designated hitter James Harris reached base five times.

“Our pitching has been good and we’re starting to get some clutch hitting,” Harris said. “We’ve lost some tough games but we’ve also won a lot of series and that has put us in position to make a playoff run.

“This has been a lot of fun. The first inning tonight you could see that we had good energy. If we keep that up, then we’ll be alright.”

Washington scored three runs in the first and knocked out Joliet starter Andrew Zellner (1-4) after two innings. Joliet, however, trimmed Washington’s lead to 4-3 before the Wild Things scored five runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth.

Pollock hit his 11th home run, a shot down the left-field line, to cap the big fourth inning, which also featured consecutive bunt singles by Harris and Brown. In the fifth, Washington took advantage of a two-base throwing error by Joliet that was followed by a run-scoring single by Hector Roa that made the score 12-3. Roa finished with three hits and three RBI.

“I guess hitting is contagious,” Langbehn said. “The guys didn’t miss. They got in good counts and kept the line moving. After Pollock’s home run I felt good, but with the way the wind was blowing out you didn’t want to take anything for granted.”

Reese started a three-run eighth inning with his fifth home run of the season.

Washington starter Tyler Garkow (2-1) went seven innings, allowing seven hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out five. Garkow had pinpoint control from the outset as he began his outing by throwing 17 consecutive strikes.

“Tyler made some really good adjustments after Joliet scored the three runs,” Langbehn said.

Trevor Bradley threw a scoreless inning in relief and Joliet scored two times in the ninth against lefty reliever Frank Trimarco.

It was the Wild Things’ 50th win of the season and 799th in franchise history. They were 25-23 at home this season and are 25-19 on the road. … Joliet reliever Nathan Antone, the fourth of five Slammers pitchers used in the game, is a Vandergrift native who played at Greensburg Central Catholic and West Virginia University. … Joliet’s Tyler Bolin hit a solo home run. … Washington went 6-0 against Joliet at Wild Things Park. … Washington will pitch Chase Cunningham (10-3, 3.58) tonight.