Wild Things split twinbill with Boomers
The Wild Things’ offense in this early portion of the Frontier League season has been much like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get.
Some nights, the Wild Things’ hitters can blow up the scoreboard. They have produced a 19-run game, had 22 hits in a contest and batted around in an inning eight times in only 20 games.
However, there have been some frustrating nights as well. The Wild Things share the Frontier League lead in times being shut out.
All of the Wild Things’ traits were on display Saturday night at EQT Park when they split a doubleheader against Schaumburg.
In the opening game, two Schaumburg pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout as the Boomers won, 6-0. In the nightcap, Washington batted around in the first inning, scoring five runs, and starting pitcher Marlon Perez came within one out of shutout as Washington forced a split of the twinbill with a 9-2 victory.
“Our goal every night is to grind out at-bats,” said first baseman Andrew Czech, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles in the nightcap. “The first game we didn’t hit so we knew that we had to respond. Baseball is a game of adjustments.”
Washington manager Tom Vaeth, who was serving the last two games of a three-game suspension, the result of his ejection Wednesday at Lake Erie, has said his hitters have had a hard time getting into a rhythm because of the rainy weather in May that has caused Washington to miss or shorten too many batting practice sessions. He added that it has been difficult for the players to get into a daily routine.
The Wild Things were in a good offensive rhythm in the second game against Schaumburg starter Cole Cook (1-1), who was the Frontier League’s Pitcher of the Year in 2023. Cook gave up 12 hits and nine runs (seven earned) in 4 2/3 innings.
Washington scored five times in the first inning. Wganer Lagrange had an RBI double, Ethan Wilder continued his torrid start to the season with a two-run double down the right-field line, one run scored on a throwing error and Willie Estrada capped the big inning with a run-scoring single.
That was more than enough offense for Perez (2-1), who threw the first complete game by a Washington pitcher this season. He allowed five hits and walked two. The lefty struck out six.
“He was unbelievable,” Czech said. “He was throwing strikes. He was pumping in strike one and strike two. Hitting is hard enough, but when a pitcher is doing that …”
Washington added to its lead in the third inning when Tyreque Reed hit his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot that made it 6-0.
In the fifth, Czech led off with a double that Schaumburg center fielder Michael Gould lost in the twilight. After a Lagrange single, Wilder had an RBI hit and rookie Cael Chatham smacked a two-run single that pushed the lead to 9-0.
Perex lost his shutout bid with two outs in the seventh when Tom Fitzgerald hit a two-run single.
In the opening game, Schaumburg starter Derek Salata (2-2) threw six shutout innings and reliever Dylan Stutsman finished the game.
Salata is in his first pro season after being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 19th round in 2023 out Illinois State but did not sign because of an injury. After undergoing Tommy John surgery on his elbow, Salata sat out 2024 before signing with the Boomers. He had two rocky starts to begin the season and landed on the injured list. Since returning, the right-hander has logged 12 shutout innings.
“Anyone who is coming back from surgery is going to find that the feel is different. With this being his first year back, we through it might be best that he had a little longer rest and put him on the IL,” Schaumburg manager Jamie Bennett said. “Since he came back, this is who we thought he’d be. He commands two or three pitches and has a 12/6 curveball.”
Schaumburg scored twice in the first inning and again in the fourth against Washington starter Jordan DiValerio (3-1), who allowed only four hits over six innings. He did walk four, hit a batter and commit two balks that forced in two runs. The Boomers’ Aaron Simmons hit a two-run homer in the fourth.
Washington had only five hits and four of them didn’t leave the infield.
Extra bases
On Friday, Washington released relief pitcher Albert Cuello-Batista and signed Connor Blantz, a rookie pitcher. Blantz played this spring in the PSAC at Millersville University, where he had a 6-2 record and 3.89 ERA this spring. He struck out 98 in 69 1/3 innings.