Washington Pours It On in Pouring Rain, Takes Middle Game

BROCKTON, Ma. (May 15) – After a somewhat slow start in the run department, Washington poured it on as it poured in Brockton Wednesday night, taking a rain-shortened affair 10-5 in seven innings to win the series against the New England Knockouts.

The scoring started early, as the Knockouts scored the first three runs of the contest between their first two at bats. In the first, New England got a leadoff double from Jake Boone. He’d score on a flare to right by Jalen Garcia that made it 1-0 New England. The Knockouts made it 2-0 a few batters later on an RBI single by Ramon Jimenez. The host scored a run in the second on an RBI single by Austin White.

Washington responded with runs in each of the next five innings though it still went back and forth for a few frames. Quincy Latimore broke open Washington’s scoring with an RBI single in third and then would score on a sac fly by Tyreque Reed, pulling Washington within one at 3-2. Tommy Caufield delivered Washington’s first lead in the fourth with his second homer of the season, a two-run shot, to make it 4-3 in the fourth.

An RBI double by White tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth before Washington re-grabbed the lead in the fifth. Andrew Czech homered for the fifth time this season in as many games. He’s got a homer in all five games, in fact, and ended the night with four hits, a new career high. He also walked in his fifth plate appearance. A wild pitch scored a fifth by starter Jordan DiValerio plated the tying run in the bottom of the fifth.

The Czech night also extended his on-base streak, a franchise record, to 37 games in a row reaching.

That tie didn’t last long. For the third and final time on the night, Washington took the lead in the next half, scoring four in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI double by Czech, a two-run triple by Robert Chayka and a passed ball. The Wild Things added a seventh inning run on an RBI single by Tommy Caufield.

The rain, which was falling most of the night, finally halted play after Gyeongju Kim wrapped a second scoreless inning in the seventh. The game did not resume and was called officially after seven full frames.

Jordan DiValerio got the win, his first as a Wild Thing. Caufield drove in three while Czech and Chayka both batted in a pair. Czech’s four-hit night led the offense, while Caufield and Chayka posted three hits apiece. Chayka’s three were his first three of 2024. JC Santini added a multi-hit performance with two singles.

Washington and New England turn their attention to tomorrow’s scheduled series finale. Washington will be looking for a sweep before heading to Tri-City. Weather permitting, the two clubs will battle for the final time in 2024 at 6:30 p.m. A live broadcast is available from the Wild Things Baseball Network, beginning with pre-game coverage at 6 p.m. on FloBaseball (subscription required) or MixLR (free).