Czech homers twice as Wild Things hold off Jackals
PATERSON, NJ. – Andrew Czech hit a pair of two-run homers, Kobe Foster won in his first start since coming off the injured list and the Wild Things held off New Jersey 8-5 in a series opener Friday night.
The Wild Things forged ahead with a three-run fifth inning. Antonio Monroy led off with a single, Conner Peek followed with a double off the wall in left centerfield. Czech then hit a long three-run home run to right field that cleared the seats at Hinchliffe Stadium and left the ballpark, giving Washington a 4-1 lead.
Czech hit his second three-run blast in the eighth inning, giving Washington and 8-1 lead. Czech’s six RBI were a career high. He has 20 home runs on the season.
New Jersey scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth against the Wild Things’ bullpen and had the potential tying run at bat when the inning ended because of a baserunners’ interference call.
Foster (7-2), the Wild Things’ ace lefthanded pitcher, threw a no-hitter against New Jersey back on June 12. In his first outing since the Frontier League All-Star Game, Foster allowed one run over six innings.
Landon Ginn needed only five pitches to retire the side in the ninth for his 10th save.
New Jersey took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, getting back-to-back doubles by Aneudis Mordan and Alvaro Gonzalez. Washington got out of the inning without further damage when right fielder Jeff Liquori threw out Gonzalez, who was trying to score on a single, at home plate to end the inning. It was one of two outfield assists for Liquori, who threw out a Jackals runner at second base.
The Wild Things tied the score at 1-1 in the fourth inning when Cole Fowler hit a solo home run to left centerfield off New Jersey starter Joe Joe Rodriguez (3-2). It was Fowler’s 10th home run of the season. Fowler had a career-high four hits. Czech also had four hits.