Four Home Runs Including Ninth-Inning Grand Slam Help Wild Things to 11-9 Win
WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington Wild Things (13-10) were able to overcome pitching woes against the River City Rascals (11-12) with a strong offensive showing highlighted by a two-out grand slam in the top of the ninth and three homers in the sixth.
The Wild Things found themselves down 9-7 heading into their last chance at the plate. After three men reached base, shortstop Mike Hill came to the plate with two outs. He launched a 2-1 pitch deep over the fence for a grand slam, his second home run of the day, giving the Wild Things their first lead, 11-9.
Down 8-1, comeback efforts were in full force during the top of the sixth, as three separate Wild Things went yard in the span of four batters. Left fielder Bralin Jackson hit his second home run in as many days, plating two runs. One batter later, the Wild Things hit back-to-back jacks to right field as right fielder Hector Roa sent another two-run shot over the fence, and shortstop Mike Hill rounded out the side’s scoring with a solo home run, giving the Wild Things five runs on the inning, and reducing the deficit to 8-6.
Reliever Zach Strecker (4-0) picked up the win as he went the final two innings, allowing only one hit.
After three scoreless innings, the Wild Things struck first as first baseman Kane Sweeny hit an RBI single that plated second baseman Alex Fernandez in the top of the fourth. River City answered immediately in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs off a two-run home run from catcher Mike Jurgella, putting the score at 2-1.
Washington then started to see their hopes quickly slip away in the bottom of the fifth as the Rascals were able to score six runs on seven hits. Some were charged to Wild Things’ starter Trevor Belicek and some to reliever Mark Smyth.
River City added one more in the bottom of the sixth, but Washington answered with an RBI groundout by designated hitter Stefan Sabol in the top of the eighth, putting the score at 9-7.
Mike Hill had himself a day as he launched two balls over the fence, including the game-winning grand slam. Hector Roa added four hits and three runs to the scoresheet as well. Left-handed pitcher Brian O’Keefe (0-1) takes the hill for the rubber match tomorrow. First pitch is set for 7:35 pm EST.
