Wild Things generate just enough offense, win in 10
The Wild Things mustered only three runs in three games against the Windy City ThunderBolts, a team that a week ago was on track for the worst ERA in franchise history.
Of the three runs generated by Washington, one was a tiebreaker runner who began an inning at second base.
And there was not a pitch thrown the entire series with Washington holding a lead.
That, however, was enough offense for the Wild Things to salvage one win over Windy City.
Pinch-runner Eddie Hacopian scored from third base on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the 10th inning Thursday night to give Washington a 2-1 victory in the series finale.
The Wild Things improved their record to 5-0 in extra-innings games at EQT Park and 7-1 overall this season. It was the first extra-innings loss for Windy City.
Washington held Windy City scoreless in the top of the 10th. inning. With Christian Kuzemka at second base as the tiebreaker runner, the ThunderBolts’ Josh Gibson singled up the middle off reliever Joe Nahas (1-0) with one out but Gibson was held at third base.
Windy City attempted a squeeze play and pinch-hitter Zach Beadle pushed a bunt at drawn-in first baseman Andrew Czech, who threw home in time to retire Kuzemka. Nahas got a strikeout to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 10th, Ethan Wilder bunted Hacopian, who was running for Jeff Liquori, to third base and pinch-hitter Cole Fowler was intentionally walked to put runners on the corners. Catcher Nolan Wilson, who was recently signed and looking for his first professional hit, then chopped a grounder to shortstop James Dunlap that gave the ThunderBolts an opportunity for an inning-ending double play. Dunlap threw to second base for the inning’s second out, but the relay from Gibson bounced and first baseman Daryl Ruiz was unable to dig it out of the turf, allowing Hacopian to score the winning run.
Washington was unable to gain ground in the Central Division. Lake Erie erased a four-run deficit in the ninth inning and beat Joliet in the 10. The Wild Things remain two games behind the Crushers.
The Wild Things begin a key series tonight at home against the Gateway Grizzlies. Gateway is in second place in the West Division, a half-game behind Schaumburg. Gateway swept a three-game series against the Wild Things in early July.
The Wild Things’ hitters will surely be glad that Windy City has left town because their numbers against the ThunderBolts were ugly:
* They had only six baserunners advance to third base in three games.
* They generated only one extra-base base, though it was a big one.
* Only five times in the first 27 innings did Washington put its leadoff batter on base. One of those was caught stealing and another was picked off first base.
The only extra-base hit by Washington in the series came in the finale and off the bat of designated hitter Tyreque Reed, who lofted an opposite-field homer to right field in the seventh inning that tied the score at 1-1.
Reed was the last batter faced by Windy City starter Bryce Hellgeth. An emergency starter when Isaac Milburn was scratched from the lineup, Hellgeth gave up only three hits over six-plus innings. Hellgeth walked one, struck out four and got 11 outs on ground balls.
Washington starter Regi Grace was equally as good. He allowed only two hits and one run in six innings.
Windy City took a 1-0 lead when Grace walked the first two batters of the third inning – his only walks allowed – and they were followed by a sacrifice bunt by Cam Phelts and a sacrifice fly by Michael Sandle.
Extra bases
Windy City won the season series against Washington, 5-4. It was the first time in 12 years that the ThunderBolts beat the Wild Things in the season series. … Windy City reliever Tristan Reynolds (3-1) was the losing pitcher. He allowed only one hit and an unearned run over two innings. … Washington relievers Lex Meinderts and Hector Garcia each tossed one scoreless inning.