McNeely’s homer in 9th gives Wild Things win
SAUGET, Ill. – Caleb Neely hit a tiebreaking leadoff home run in the top of the ninth inning, giving the Wild Things a 5-4 win over the Gateway Grizzlies on Wednesday afternoon.
McNeely’s home run, his seventh of the year, erased a comeback by Gateway, which trailed 4-2 in the seventh inning.
The Grizzlies led 2-1 before Washington scored three times in the seventh. The Wild Things took a 3-2 lead when Gateway’s second baseman and right fielder let Tommy Caufield’s routine popup fall between them for a two-run single. Wagner Lagrange’s base hit scored Caufield.
Gateway scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to tie the score at 4-4, setting up McNeely’s home run over the short porch in right field off Gateway reliever Nathanial Tate (1-1).
Alex Carrillo (1-1) was the winning pitcher in relief and Gyeongju Kim pitched the ninth inning for his league-leading eighth save.
Washington starter Malik Barrington allowed two hits and two runs (one earned) in five innings. He walked four and struck out three.