Wild Things Shutout Joliet, Clinch Series Win Saturday
JOLIET, Il. (June 4) – The Wild Things’ pitching staff continued its roll with a shutout in the middle game of the series while the offense provided six runs between the third and fourth innings to clinch a series win in Joliet Saturday night. Washington, who took over first place in the West Division, won 6-0 to go to 13-7 on the season.
Wild Things’ right hander Tom Hart made his debut with the club in the middle game and got around two big jams in his three innings of work to start the game. Hart walked the bases full with two outs in the first but got a punchout to get out of the frame unscathed.
Washington gave Hart some support in the third inning by scoring four times in the frame. Cole Brannen scored on a wild pitch to open the scoring before Andrew Czech singled home Scotty Dubrule, who had walked. A few batters later, Hector Roa snuck a fly ball into the right field corner for a two-run double that scored Nick Ward and Czech and extended the lead to 4-0.
Hart allowed runners to second and third on two hits in the home half of the third but rebounded to strikeout Carson Maxwell again in a big spot to get out of that frame without a hitch. The former 16th Round pick of the Cardinals in 2019 worked three innings, walked three, allowed three hits and fanned three.
The Wild Things added two more on a two-run single by Ward to plate Brannen and Dubrule in the fourth inning.
Dan Kubiuk worked two scoreless innings in relief of Hart for Washington with three strikeouts. Kenny Pierson worked the sixth and seventh innings and struck out two with no runs against him. Bryan Quillens pitched the eighth and allowed a walk but no runs. Christian James finished the game for the Wild Things on the hill with a clean ninth.
The road trip concludes for the Wild Things with the series finale and the sweep attempt tomorrow in Joliet with the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05/1:05 p.m. CT.
