Washington Walked Off by Boomers in Middle Game of Series at Schaumburg
WASHINGTON, Pa. (June 23) - After tying the middle game of the three-game series in Schaumburg in the ninth, the Wild Things were walked off for only the second time this season in the bottom half, as Schaumburg's Sean Godfrey flared a single over the head of shortstop Brett Marr to plate the winning run for the Boomers (20-17). The Boomers won the game 5-4 over Washington (23-15), who, despite the loss, remains in first place in the East Division.
Zach Strecker allowed a single and walked a batter before a sacrifice bunt pushed the two runners into scoring position in the ninth. With one out, Washington elected to walk left fielder Ty Moore, before Godfrey singled to win the game for the home team. Tonight's winning run was the first run scored against Strecker this season, as he, by recording the first out, had his scoreless inning streak to start 2018 at 21 innings.
Schaumburg scored first, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on an RBI double by first baseman Collin Ferguson, before Washington tied it in the fifth on a single by Marr scoring third baseman Mike Hill, who was 3-4 in the loss with a double and two singles. After the Boomers regained the lead on a two-run home run by Dylan Jones in the sixth, Marr singled home Hill again to make it 3-2.
Schaumburg extended its lead to 4-2 in the seventh with a solo shot off the bat of Moore, before Washington left fielder Roman Collins homered to left to make it 4-3 in the eighth, The Wild Things tied the game in the ninth on a sac fly by Marr to plate Hill.
Michael Austin made his debut for Washington and received a no decision after a quality start. He tossed six innings of three-run ball on five hits, walked three and struck out two. His mound counterpart, Keaton Conner, made his pro debut for the Boomers and tossed six innings as well, picking up a no decision after allowing just one run on five hits.
The Wild Things look to salvage a game in the series tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Eastern time.
