The Washington Wild Things got into the win column for the first time in 2015 with a 2-0 victory over the Schaumburg Boomers in the second game of a doubleheader at Consol Energy Park.
The Wild Things were paced by a solid start by lefty Kyle Helisek, who threw 5.2 innings of three-hit, no run ball while striking out five and walking five.
“We cornered up the ball real well,” said catcher John Fidanza, “Helisek threw a lot of strikes. They were giving us the inside corner, so he kept going there.”
The five walks could have proved costly had it not been for some solid defense behind him as Washington turned three double plays over the seven inning contest.
Washington got on the board early as Fidanza, making his pro debut, hit a two out, two-RBI single in his first at bat which proved to be the game winner.
Fidanza also made a game-saving play in the sixth. With runners on first and second for Schaumburg in the sixth, Fidanza picked off the runner at second for the second out. It was the final time the Boomers threatened in the game.
Steve Messener pitched the final 1.1 innings for the save.
The Wild Things could have completed the doubleheader sweep with the win had it not been for some late heroics by Schaumburg in the first game.
Leading 5-1 in the seventh inning, the wheels started coming off for the Washington pitching staff as three pitchers combined to give up four runs on six hits in the inning to send the game into extras.
In the eighth, Schaumburg added two more runs on two hits, a walk and an error against Wild Things reliever Pat Butler to seal the victory.
The come-from-behind win ruined a solid start by Washington righty Ryan Bores, who threw six innings of three-hit, one-run ball before struggling in the seventh. He finished the afternoon with five strikeouts and one walk.
“It was a good start,” said Bores. “I usually don’t get strikeouts, so it was nice to get those. I’m a heavy sinkerball pitcher, so there was a lot of ground balls. I try not to focus on what goes on behind me. Just focus on the next pitch and get that ground ball so the guys behind me can make the plays.”
Edinson Rincon paced the offense in the afternoon session going 2-for-4 with a 3 RBI double while also scoring a run while Lee Orr went 1-for-3 with a double, walk, RBI and a run.
The top of the Wild Things lineup combined to go 2-for-7 with a double, two walks, four runs and an RBI.
The Wild Things head into the first off day of the season with a 1-2 record and will look to get back on track at home against Evansville starting Tuesday night at 7:05.
Starters Lines
GM 1
(WAS) Bores (ND): 6+ IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K’s, 1 HBP, 1 HR. 100 Pitches (60 Strikes).
(SCH) Carl (ND): 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K’s. 79 Pitches (43 Strikes).
GM 2
(WAS) Helisek (W, 1-0): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 5 K’s. 91 Pitches (59 Strikes).
(SCH) Gomez (L, 0-1): 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K’s. 77 Strikes (48 Strikes).
(Photo Credit: Washington Wild Things)
