Foss, Wild Things Outlast Beach Bums in Pitchers' Duel
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Games that last two hours and two minutes are usually low scoring. They are usually pitcher’s duels. The story was no different Tuesday, as the Washington Wild Things (37-30) knocked off the Traverse City Beach Bums (24-42) in the series opener.
Trevor Foss got the nod for the Wild Things and the ace was impressive as usual, tossing eight innings of one-run ball and allowing just four hits. He goes to 9-4 after fanning four and not walking a single batter. Kramer Champlin (6-5) was charged with the loss, but was also very good, tossing 7.2 innings and allowing three runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out five and two of those runs were unearned. Zach Strecker closed out his 15th save by pitching a perfect ninth.
The scoring was few and far between, but it started in the second inning as Washington third baseman Kenny Peoples-Walls singled home right fielder Hector Roa, who had singled to start the inning. Traverse City answered with its only run in the third inning, that came off an RBI triple by Jeff DeBlieux.
Scoring ceased until the top of the eighth inning. Second baseman Justin Bohn reached on a rare error by Beach Bums’ shortstop Will Kengor, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native. Following that, designated hitter James Harris reached after an error charged to Champlin on a sacrifice bunt effort. After two outs, left fielder Bralin Jackson walked to load the bases and on cue, Roa delivered the knockout blow, a two-run single, that gave the Wild Things the lead for good, 3-1.
The two teams match up again tomorrow, Wednesday, August 2, as the Beach Bums have now lost every one of their last 10 games, while the Wild Things have won four of five and are right in the thick of things for a playoff spot as the stretch run begins. Tomorrow’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
