The Washington Wild Things flipped the script on the Traverse City Beach Bums on Saturday night at Consol Energy Park as they avenged a 7-0 defeat last night with an 11-0 victory.
The Wild Things (9-11) scored nine runs in the first two innings to put the game out of reach early. Lee Orr finished a four-run first inning with a mammoth home run over top of the Consol Energy scoreboard for his fourth of the year. Jeudy Valdez then led off the second with another long home run — his first of two solo-shots to left on the night — into the left field parking lot to start a five-run second inning.
David Popkins finished the scoring in the sixth with his seventh home run of the season.
“The offense buckled down tonight,” said Wild Things manager Bob Bozzuto. “They worked at everything they were doing tonight. We talked about pitch selection and seeing spin and I think they were very professional and went about their business today.”
Ernesto Zaragoza (2-0) didn’t need much of the offense given to him on the night as the righty threw a complete game shutout while allowing six base runners and striking out eight.
“I just kept the ball down and let the defense work,” said Zaragoza who induced thirteen ground outs on the night. “I was nervous in the first inning, but after we got those runs, I just kind of settled in and felt really comfortable out there.”
Zaragoza didn’t experience much trouble in the game until the sixth when the game was out of reach when Traverse City (10-9) put runners on second and third with one out. Zaragoza then induced ground outs to short and first base to end the inning.
He then only needed 35 pitches to finish the game while striking out three.
“Ernesto has given us two big wins in-a-row as a starter for us,” said Bozzuto. “Our bullpen has been used a great deal with the close game that we’ve had and it was nice to give them a break.”
The Wild Things will look for a series victory in the final game of a short, six-game homestand tomorrow afternoon at 2:35.
Starters Lines
(WAS) Zaragoza (W, 2-0, 1.93 ERA): CG, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K’s. 108 Pitches (74 Strikes).
(TC) Phillips (L, 0-1, 11.00 ERA): 1+ IP, 7 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 1 HBP. 36 Pitches (22 Strikes).
(Photo Credit: Washington Wild Things)
