Washington Jumps Ahead Early 6-0, Falls 10-9 in Extras in Game 1
PATERSON, NJ. (June 8) – After jumping ahead 6-0 and leading by three two more times in game one, a walk-off single by Rusber Estrada in the bottom of the eighth sunk the Wild Things to defeat to start Thursday’s doubleheader at Hinchliffe Stadium.
Washington started the scoring with the first six of the game, scoring twice in the first on a two-run homer by Wagner Lagrange, once in the second on an RBI single by Scotty Dubrule and three times in the third on two homers: a solo shot by catcher Melvin Novoa and a two-run homer from Anthony Brocato. In that spurt, Andrew Czech extended his on-base streak with a single to 21 games and his hit streak to nine games while Brocato’s walk prior to his homer extended his on-base streak to 20 games.
The Jackals clawed back in it using two homers to plate four of their first five runs. In the third, shortstop Ti’Quan Forbes homered to center off starter Stephen Knapp to make it 6-1 Washington. In the fourth, New Jersey used an RBI double by Josh Rehwaldt and a three-run homer by Alfredo Marte to make it 6-5.
Christian James came in and pitched a scoreless fifth inning before walking the first two he faced in the sixth and throwing ball one to Alex Toral. He left the game with trainer Austin Pascarella giving way to Lukas Young, who got a double play before an infield single plated a run for New Jersey. That made it 8-6 because Washington had extended its lead in the top of the sixth on a two-run two bagger by Nick Gotta.
Lagrange homered for the second time in the game to start the seventh for the Wild Things.
New Jersey got a run back in the seventh on a homer by Rusber Estrada before James Nelson doubled to bring the tying run to the dish with one out. Keon Barnum flied to center and Josh Rehwaldt singled home Nelson to make it 9-8. Marte doubled off the right-field wall to tie the game and send it to extras.
Washington failed to score in the eighth with the international tiebreaker rule in effect. With two outs in the bottom half, Estrada singled home the international tiebreaker rule runner for the Jackals to win, 10-9.
The second game of the doubleheader will happen shortly from Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey. Spencer Johnston is due to make the start for the Wild Things. He’ll be opposed by righty Dylan Castaneda.
