Offense Leads to Series-Opening Win Against Gateway
WASHINGTON, Pa. (August 15) – Behind another good start against Gateway from Dariel Fregio and a whole bunch of early offense, the Washington Wild Things (37-42) took the series opener at Wild Things Park against the West Division-leading Grizzlies (48-30) by a final of 9-4.
Washington got the scoring started immediately. In the bottom of the first frame, Robert Chayka singled home Anthony Brocato before Wes Darvill scored on a fielder’s choice by Scotty Dubrule. For both Chayka and Dubrule, the RBI was their 36th of the season.
The Wild Things plated three in the second inning: the first on a Darvill sac fly and the back two on a two-run double by Wagner Lagrange. The two RBI brought Lagrange’s RBI total in 2023 to 60, which leads the club. The home team added singular runs in the third and fourth innings on an RBI single by Brocato in the third and a solo homer from Andrew Czech, his 18th, in the fourth.
The Grizzlies got on the board for the first time against Fregio in a start and change with a two-run homer by Cole Barr in the fifth with two outs. Gateway then got two in the sixth, only one of which was earned. Fregio ended up spinning a quality start of six innings and four runs (three earned). He struck out three.
In the sixth, Washington scored on a Robert Chayka RBI single, his second of the game. The club added a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly to center by Brocato.
In relief of Fregio, Washington got three scoreless from the bullpen to end the game. Matt Dallas pitched the seventh, Christian James the eighth and Arrison Perez the ninth.
Caleb McNeely, who signed with the team Monday night, made his pro debut and notched a three-hit performance. He was joined in the three-hit department by Lagrange and Carson Clowers on a 14-hit night for Washington.
Washington, with the win, has won three of four August games against the Grizzlies and has won back-to-back series openers overall. The Wild Things will have a chance to win the series tomorrow at 6:05 p.m. on Senior Slugger Program Wednesday presented by AARP Pennsylvania.
