Midwest Finals Primer - Game 2
EVANSVILLE, In. (Sept 16) – The Otters and Wild Things, fresh off a four-hour and 12 minute, back-and-forth game 1 of the Midwest Finals, are set for Game 2 at Bosse Field tonight before the series shifts to Washington, with the Otters going in up a game to none following a 14-13 decision yesterday to the home club.
Washington was down as big as 9-2 and again at 14-8 and fought back to put the tying and go-ahead runs on base with both of those deficits, but it was some early missed chances, a couple of costly errors and not-so-hot bullpen work that cost the Wild Things in what was not a well-pitched game on either side. Evansville used eight pitchers to get through nine innings while Washington used five.
Four Wild Things had multiple hits and three had multi-RBI nights led by four by Antonio Monroy. Eight of 10 hitters that came to the plate for Washington had a hit and a separate group of eight knocked in a run.
Now Washington’s focus shifts to taking Game 2 to bring the series even before coming home. They’ll turn to ace Kobe Foster, who is set for his second start of the playoffs, coming off seven innings of two-hit, three-run ball Friday night against Florence in the Game 2 Wild Card loss. He took a no decision and fanned nine. Foster is no stranger to Evansville, as he’s logged 72.1 innings in his career against the Otters, but this will be the first time he’s seen the group in the playoffs. He has 74 strikeouts and a 2.74 career ERA against Evansville.
Evansville will counter with righty Garret Simpson, who makes his playoff debut and first nod since September 5 against Down East. Simpson pitched for both Tri-City and Evansville last year and was 9-3 this season for the Otters with a 4.26 ERA in 19 games (18 starts). In 101.1 innings he allowed 108 hits and 48 earned runs with 29 walks and 60 strikeouts. He faced Washington on May 13 and lasted 4.2 innings, allowing eight hits and seven runs (six earned) with a walk and four strikeouts before getting a win over Washington on August 19 with six innings of two-hit, shutout ball with four strikeouts.
EQT Park will host a watch party for tonight’s game, with free parking and admission. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. EDT. The event is rain or shine, with plans to move to the suites if weather becomes an issue. Food and beverage will be available. First pitch is slated for 7:35/6:35 p.m. CDT.
Fans who aren’t signed up for a subscription to the Frontier League Network, powered by HTN, can save 20% on a monthly subscription to the service by using FLPLAYOFFS26 at checkout at www.frontierleaguetv.com. Tonight’s broadcast is also available on MixLR at https://www.bit.ly/wtmixlr.
Playoff tickets for the Midwest Finals are on sale now by clicking here and are $5 apiece. Washington will host Friday, September 18, Saturday, September 19 (if necessary) and Saturday, September, September 20 (if necessary), in the best of five against Evansville.
The 24th season of Wild Things baseball in the MLB-partnered Frontier League is underway with more great baseball and entertainment to come. For updates, other information and more, visit washingtonwildthings.com or follow the team on social media at facebook.com/WashingtonWildThings or @WashWildThings on other platforms.
Go Wild at washingtonwildthings.com.
