Harris Among Key Contributors in 10-2 Win
SAUGET, Ill. – The Washington Wild Things [35-29] were able to write a successful first book in what they hope will be a trilogy titled “Revenge" in Friday night’s series opener against the Gateway Grizzlies (20-45), who swept Washington earlier in the season. Washington won the opener of the weekend set 10-2.
For the first time since June 15, right-handed pitcher Aaron Burns (3-0) got the starting nod for the Wild Things and he struggled at the very outset of his outing, as he allowed the first four Gateway batters to reach base in the home first after Washington had stranded a two-out triple at third in its half. That triple came from first baseman Kane Sweeney. Burns ended up surrendering two runs as the Grizzlies got the advantage early, 2-0, after one. That’s all Gateway could muster against Burns on the night, as he’d settle in, ending the night with a line that included 5.2 innings pitched, the two runs, three hits, four walks and a career-high six strikeouts.
Washington ended up scoring 10 unanswered runs to win it. The Wild Things plated two in the third, one in the fourth, two in the fifth, one in the seventh, two in the eighth and two in the ninth. In the third, Washington got a two-run blast from centerfielder James Harris (3). That tied the game before third baseman Mike Hill doubled home a run in the fourth to give the Wild Things the lead for good. With the double, Hill extended his on-base streak to 21 games.
In the fifth, one run came in on an error while right fielder Hector Roa singled home a run. Left fielder Bralin Jackson added a sacrifice fly in the seventh before second baseman Kyle Reese went opposite field for a two-run home run in the eighth prior to catcher Kyle Pollock’s seventh homer of the season, a two-run blast to left in the ninth, that served as the game’s final scoring play.
Harris not only had the home run but a double as well in his sixth multi-hit effort as a Wild Thing. He also stole three bases, which is a new game high for the team in 2017. Reese also had his second multi-hit game in a row.
Right-hander Trevor Bradley came on in relief of Burns, got out of the sixth inning unscathed, and finished the game for his first Wild Things’ save in his longest relief outing. He gave up just two hits and fanned five in 3.1 innings.
The Wild Things look to win the series tomorrow at 8:05 p.m. EST as RHP Ethan Gibbons is set to make his Wild Things’ debut on the mound in the start against Gateway.
