River City holds off late rally by Things

O’FALLON, Mo. – Reese Gregory threw a complete game and River City used a pair of three-run innings to defeat the Wild Things 6-5 Thursday night at CarShield Field.
One day after River City used seven pitchers in a loss to Washington, Gregory (2-2) threw 126 pitches, scattering 10 hits, and fought off a late Wild Things comeback. Gregory walked one and struck out six.
River City scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning against Washington starter Brian O’Keefe (0-2) and stretched its lead to 6-1 with a three-run seventh against reliever Jacob Schwartz. Braxton Martinez hit a two-run homer in the first inning for the Rascals.
Washington closed to within 6-3 when Kane Sweeney hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning. Sweeney also drove in the Wild Things’ first run.
Washington added two more runs in the ninth but left the potential tying run on first base.
Mike Hill, who hit a game-winning grand slam in the ninth inning Wednesday, led off the ninth with a double and scored on a two-out single by Kyle Reese to make it 6-4. Reese advanced on a passed ball and scored on Rashad Brown’s single.
Washington begins a three-game series tonight at West Division-leading Florence.