Washington Knocking On the Door of Playoffs With Series Opening Win
SCHAUMBURG, Il. (August 23) – The Wild Things, back on the road, went into Schaumburg Tuesday with a chance to get even closer to a playoff berth and did so, knocking off Schaumburg behind a great start from Kobe Foster and good pitching late, 3-2. Washington’s playoff magic number dropped to one thanks to the win and Joliet’s loss at Evansville, while the victory against the second-place Boomers dropped the West magic number to three Tuesday night.
Washington struck first after failing to do so in its last seven games, including every contest of the six-game homestand, which the Wild Things split, 3-3. The Wild Things got back-to-back hits from Scotty Dubrule and Wagner Lagrange with one out in the first, the latter of which was a double to put both in scoring position. Andrew Czech grounded a ball to second to plate Dubrule and Cam Balego singled home Lagrange.
Washington led 2-0 until the seventh with a big helping hand from left hander Kobe Foster, who started for the Wild Things. Foster spun six scoreless frames with three punchouts and three walks. He allowed just one hit, which came in the sixth inning with one away. The 5.1 no-hit innings, coupled with the two outs once Schaumburg was in the hit column, ran Foster’s scoreless-inning streak to 21.2 innings.
The Wild Things added a run in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Scotty Dubrule but saw Schaumburg get on the board once Foster left the game in the bottom of the seventh. Zack Erwin started the inning, got an out, but then allowed a single and a walk before a double by Will Salas got the Boomers on the board at 3-1. Erwin left and Christian James entered. James allowed an inherited runner to score on a groundout but got a strikeout to end the inning with the tying run at third.
James went back out for the eighth and allowed a baserunner around two outs before giving way to Kenny Pierson, who earned the final out of the eighth to keep the lead at 3-2 for the Wild Things. Lukas Young entered in the ninth and earned his 19th save.
Washington can now clinch a playoff spot tomorrow with a win OR a Joliet loss to Evansville.
The series between the two clubs continues tomorrow with Rob Whalen (11-2, 3.32 ERA) set to take the mound for Washington. He’ll be opposed by right hander Jumpei Akanuma (4-1, 3.32 ERA) for the Boomers. First pitch is slated for 7:30/6:30 p.m. CT.
