Jul 25, 2025 By Chris Dugan 3 min read

Washington starter Zach Kirby had a terrific start Friday night.

Relievers Hector Garcia and Joe Nahas combined for an even better finish.

Washington pitchers scattered five hits and the Wild Things scratched out single runs in three innings for a 3-1 victory over the Florence Y’alls at EQT Park.

The Wild Things remain a half-game back of first place Lake Erie in the Central Division. Lake Erie defeated Mississippi, 8-6.

Kirby (4-4) allowed four hits and one run over six innings in his second start this year against Florence. He also went six innings, allowing one run, on June 20 but had a no-decision in that game.

This time, Kirby left with a 2-1 lead after designated hitter Jordan Sikert slapped a tiebreaking single up the middle that scored Andrew Czech and gave Washington a 2-1 lead. Florence center fielder Dalen Thompson had a chance to throw out Czech at the plate but his throw to home plate came in low and bounced off the back of the pitcher’s mound.

Washington manager Tom Vaeth turned the game over to his bullpen in the seventh. Chad Coles struck out Brendan Bobo to start the inning but issued two consecutive walks. The Wild Things then summoned Garcia from the bullpen and he gave up a single to Michael Ballard that loaded the bases with one out.

That’s when Garcia and Dahas ended Florence’s comeback bid. Garcia struck out Tyler Shaneyfelt and retired Dalen Thompson on a fly ball that ended the inning with Washington still up, 2-1.

The Wild Things added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh when pinch-hitter Ben Watson drew a leadoff walk, stole second base, advanced on a groundout and scored when Tommy Caufield laced a single up the middle.

Garcia struck out Hank Zeisler and Anthony Brocato to start the eighth. Zeisler entered the night with 17 home runs and Brocato, a former Wild Things outfielder, had 13 home runs in 23 games since being signed by the Y’alls.

Washington then went to its bullpen again and Nahas struck out T.J. Reeves to end the eighth.

Nahas, a former Chicago Cubs farmhand who was signed at the all-star break, struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth for his first save.

Garcia and Nahas combined to retire eight of the nine batters they faced, six via strikeouts.

Florence scored first when Zeisler, Brocato and Bobo all singled in the fourth inning. They were three of the four hits allowed by Kirby, who walked one and struck out three.

Washington tied it at 1-1 in its half of the fourth. Czech hit a triple and scored on a single by Ethan Wilder, who was 3-for-4.

Florence starter Evan Webster gave up eight hits over five innings but surrendered only one run. Bradley Wilson (1-2) took the loss.