The Washington Wild Things have come around as of late, making a strong run to the All-Star break, but is it too little, too late after a rough start to the 2015 season?
Washington sent two players, Austin Wobrock and Tim Helisek, to the Frontier League All-Star game, but Helisek was unable to participate due to injury.
Wobrock is a prime example of the Wild Things roller coaster first half as he started the season on an 0-for-18 slump, but recovered to represent the team as the only position player selected for the All-Star team.
“I had a lot of guys working with me after that first series,” said Wobrock. “I saw guys hitting well in batting practice and decided to change my approach to be like them. I see the ball deeper in the box now and it helped me.”
Washington started the season on the same note going 2-8 in their first ten games and like Wobrock, recovered to finish the first half 21-20 and within a shot of wild card contention.
“We have a good group of guys,” said second baseman Matt Ford. “We turned it on before the break. We’ve had a tough couple of series at home, but we have to continue to battle. You have to take every game with thoughts of winning them, especially when you’re back in the standings. I think we’re finally clicking and are going to string some wins together.”
The momentum hasn’t shifted to the second half, thus far, as the Wild Things have won twice in nine tries since the break dropping them to last place in the Frontier League East division and eight games out of the final Wild Card spot with 36 games remaining.
The Wild Things will be making the stretch run without star outfielder and team leader C.J. Beatty, who has left the team on his own accord due to injuries in his left quad muscle and his left hand.
Beatty was a major piece in last year’s playoff squad, but was experiencing a down year with only two home runs and 20 RBI in 45 games.
Beatty’s struggles weren’t the only ones on the offensive side as the team as a whole is hitting only .234 while averaging 3.6 runs per game.
“Everyone in the lineup, everyone on the staff believes our answers are already here,” said Wild Things manager Bob Bozzuto. “There’s never been one wavering idea or moment that our guys believe they are unable to hit. I don’t see a team that’s hitting .234.”
If Washington wants to get back into the postseason race, they will have to start producing more on the offensive end.
(Photo Credit: Washington Wild Things)
