Wild Things Drop Back-And-Forth Rubber Game by Walk Off in Normal
NORMAL, IL— For the second time in their three-game series with the Normal CornBelters, the Wild Things entered the ninth inning down a run with Normal’s closer, Anthony Herrera, on for the save, and promptly tied the game with a leadoff home run. Unlike Tuesday’s series opener, however, Washington (31-26), couldn’t pull out a come-from-behind win in Thursday’s rubber match, instead falling to the CornBelters (27-27), 5-4 on a walk-off single by right fielder Andrew Godbold in the bottom of the ninth. The Wild Things are now two games behind the first place Joliet Slammers in the East division.
It took Normal just three batters to draw first blood against Wild Things’ starter Thomas Dorminy. Center fielder James Davidson Jr. got things started with a lead-off infield single and subsequently moved to third on second baseman Justin Fletcher's single. Shortstop Santiago Chirino followed the pattern, driving in Davidson Jr. for the game's first run. Chirino led the way for the CornBelters offensively, going 5-5 with a double, a run scored and two RBI.
It remained 1-0 until the top of the sixth when, with runners on first and third and two outs, Wild Things' catcher Kyle Pollock drove home center fielder James Harris to tie the game. Pollock ended up going 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored on the night. Washington took the lead moments later, when first baseman Reydel Medina singled home left fielder Roman Collins to put the Wild Things in front. Right fielder Hector Roa kept the rally going, singling home Pollock to make it 3-1.
Dorminy ran into trouble in the next half inning. After a single and a walk started the frame, Chirino scored all the way from second on a passed ball to make it 3-2. The CornBelters tied the game one batter later when Godbold tripled to score left fielder Derrick Loveless. After tying things up, it took only a moment for Normal to retake the lead. With first baseman Gerald Bautista batting, a balk by Dorminy put the CornBelters back in front.
The Wild Things' didn't go away, tying the game in the seventh, when with two outs, second baseman Carter McEachern drove home his double-play partner, shortstop Brett Marr, with a single to make it 4-4.
Normal once again took the lead in the bottom half of the seventh. Chirino's fourth hit of the game scored Davison Jr. and chased Dorminy. The left-hander received a no-decision, allowing five runs—four earned—over 6.1 innings while giving up nine hits, walking two and striking out six. His record remains 7-3.
In the top of the ninth, designated hitter Conner Simonetti capped off a 3-for-4 night by leading off the inning with a game-tying home run off Herrera. Washington’s momentum wouldn’t last, however. After closer Zach Strecker struck out Davison Jr. to start the bottom half, he gave up singles to Fletcher and Chirino. Although he got left fielder Derrick Loveless to ground into a force out, Godbold singled home Fletcher to walk it off and give Normal the series win.
Strecker took the loss, falling to 3-3 despite allowing just the one run over 2.1 innings. For Normal, Herrera got the win despite blowing the save.
CornBelters’ starter Jacinto Garcia got a no-decision, allowing three runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out three over six innings.
The Wild Things’ six-game road trip continues tomorrow night, when Washington begins a three-game series with the River City Rascals in O’Fallon, Missouri. First pitch is at 7:35 p.m. EDT.
