Wild Things Score 18 Runs in Win, Take 9th Straight Contest
SAUGET, Il. (June 13) - The Wild Things (20-9) took their ninth-consecutive contest by defeating the Gateway Grizzlies (13-17) in the middle game of the series by a final of 18-13, as every man in the Washington starting lineup recorded a hit in the victory. Left fielder Roman Collins led the charge, plating five runs in the game to give him 10 RBI in the series.
After winning the series opener 19-10, the Wild Things followed the effort up with a 17-hit effort, despite being down 3-0 after one inning of play, as Gateway plated three, first-inning runs.
That's when the onslaught begun for the Wild Things. Washington plated seven runs in the second, highlighted by back-to-back two-run doubles from second baseman Carter McEachern and Collins. With a 7-3 lead entering the bottom half, the Wild Things would allow Gateway to pull back within one at 7-6.
Collins singled home a run and the Wild Things also scored on an error and a groundout in the third, before plating two more in the fourth on a pair of bases-loaded walks: one to Collins and one to designated hitter Kyle Pollock. The Grizzlies would get two back in the bottom of the fourth before Washington put up another crooked number in the fifth, scoring five. The fifth included right fielder Hector Roa's fourth home run of the season, a solo shot to lead the inning off.
Catcher Chase Simmons singled home a run in the sixth as the Wild Things' lead swelled to 19-8. Gateway added two in the eighth and three in the ninth, but the comeback effort was ultimately held off, as the Wild Things won the contest 18-13.
Simmons was 4-5 with four singles against his former team, and drove in three runs. The five-RBI night was the second-straight such night for Collins, who now has 30 runs batted in during the season. McEachern, Roa, Hill and Marr all had multi-hit outings at the plate.
The win went to reliever Aaron Burns, who chucked 2.2 scoreless in relief of right-handed pitcher Chase Cunningham, who allowed eight runs over 3.2 innings as the Wild Things' starter. For Gateway, starting pitcher Dalton Shalberg took the loss, allowing seven runs over 1.1 innings.
The Wild Things go for their 10th-straight win tomorrow and for the sweep of the series when they battle the Grizzlies at 8:05 p.m. ET.
