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Same formula, same result for Wild Things

4 min read
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Washington’s John Fidanza slides safely into second base as Traverse City’s Steven Patterson waits for the throw during Wednesday’s game at Wild Things Park.

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Hector Roa, right, and the Washington Wild Things hope there is plenty of celebrating in the playoff series against Evansville.

Another three-run homer in the early innings. Another big offensive game from the No. 8 spot in the batting order. More shutout innings from the starting pitcher.

The Wild Things seem to have found a successful winning formula.

Hector Roa hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Brian O’Keefe, the reliever turned starter, threw seven shutout innings as the Wild Things defeated the Traverse City Beach Bums 6-1 Wednesday night.

The win was the fifth in six games, and eighth in 11, for the surging Wild Things, who are alone in second place in the Frontier League’s East Division.

“We’re playing much better,” manager Gregg Langbehn confirmed. “Why? Because of pitching. We’ve gotten some length from our starters. … Things have balanced out for us. We’re scoring runs, our defense and pitching have been good and we’re doing enough at the plate.”

For the past two nights, doing enough at the plate has included hitting a three-run homer to forge an early lead. In a 4-0 win Tuesday, it was second baseman Kyle Reese who delivered the big blow from the No. 8 spot in the batting order. On Wednesday, it was right fielder Hector Roa who smacked a line-drive, three-run shot off the top row of advertising signs in left field to give Washington and O’Keefe a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

“When you put up a three spot in the first inning it makes pitching a little easier,” said O’Keefe (2-2), who allowed only two hits, one an infield single, over seven innings.

Catcher John Fidanza, hitting in the No. 8 spot in the order on this night, drove in two runs with a single in the sixth inning that gave Washington a 6-0 lead. Fidanza also scored in the fifth inning after he was hit by a pitch from Beach Bums starter Augie Gallardo (3-3), stole second base and was driven in on Justin Bohn’s double off the wall in left centerfield.

That was more than enough offense for O’Keefe, whose strong start came on the heels of Chase Cunningham’s eight shutout innings in the series opener.

“He threw first-pitch strikes,” Fidanza said about O’Keefe’s success. “When you’re throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count with your fastball, you can mess with the other pitches later in the count.”

O’Keefe, who is in his second season with the Wild Things, agreed with his catcher.

“When you’re starting 0-1 in the count, it’s a totally different ballgame,” he said.

O’Keefe was moved into the starting rotation only a few weeks ago, when Washington released left-handers Hunter Williams and Trevor Belicek. O’Keefe has made five starts, winning each of his last two outings and giving up only two runs over 14 innings in those two games. There are no plans to move him back into a relief role.

“His starts have been good,” Langbehn said. “The way he’s pitching now, he’s definitely earned a spot in the rotation. He likes starting. He can do both roles.”

Traverse City scored its only run of the game, and the series, after Washington went to its bullpen, pushing across a run in the ninth inning on two walks and two singles.

“They’re playing with a lot of confidence, no doubt,” Langbehn said of his players.

The Wild Things’ series-opening win Tuesday was played in only one hour and 57 minutes, making it the seventh-fastest game in Wild Things history. … Washington had seven hits to Traverse City’s five. The Wild Things are 16-0 in games when they outhit the opponent. … Washington will try for its second series sweep of the season in tonight’s 7:05 p.m. finale.

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