Rashad Brown's Late-Game Heroics Lift Washington to Win in Series Finale
WASHINGTON, Pa., June 1 - Using a ninth-inning double by outfielder Rashad Brown and late-game, solid bullpen work, the Washington Wild Things avoided the sweep at the hands of the Joliet Slammers Thursday, June 1, by winning the series finale, 2-1.
Both teams scored a run in the fourth inning after three innings of scoreless baseball was played in Joliet, Illinois. Second baseman Alexander Fernandez walked to lead the fourth off for Washington and was advanced to third on a double by outfielder Bralin Jackson. A few batters later, outfielder Hector Roa singled in Fernandez to score the game's first run.
In the home fourth, Joliet first baseman Rock Shoulders tied the game with a solo home run off Wild Things' starter Chase Cunningham.
The starters would pitch in the seventh inning of the game, Cunningham two outs fewer than his mound opponent on the night, Tom House. House and Cunningham both received no decisions on the night. Cunningham allowed one earned run over 6.1 innings, but gave up four hits and walked six, matching a career-high. House gave up four hits and one run in seven innings.
After a scoreless eight inning, Brown came to bat with catcher John Fidanza at second base for the Wild Things, and on cue, doubled off the left field wall, giving Washington a 2-1 lead that held up, giving Zach Strecker a win after he worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth inning.
After avoiding a sweep for the third time in 2017, the Wild Things return home tomorrow, Friday, June 2, to play host to Traverse City in the first of a three-game, weekend set. The first 500 fans into Wild Things Park tomorrow receive a t-shirt courtesy of Mylan, while all fans will be treated to a postgame fireworks show.
Brian O'Keefe will take the hill for Washington opposed by Nate Abel for the Beach Bums. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
