Wild Things

Sauget, Ill. - Gateway used the long ball to get on the board Tuesday night but it was not enough as the Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, scored three runs in the sixth inning to take the lead for good and go on to defeat the Grizzlies, 6-4, at GCS Ballpark. The Wild Things are now a perfect 4-0 on the road in 2010.


Luis Rivera cranked a two-run home run and Denny Duron scored on a Chris Raniere single to give the Wild Things a 5-4 lead in the sixth inning. They would add an insurance run in the eighth inning to secure the win.

Gateway got on the board four batters into the bottom of the first when Logan Parker went deep off Washington starting pitcher Tim Smith for a 2-0 lead. It was one of three home runs for the Grizzlies in the game and Parker's second of the season.

The Wild Things chipped away at the lead, a pattern that ran rampant in the game. Luis Rivera singled down the right field line and stole second base. Denny Duron came up and drove Rivera in with a single of his own to cut the lead to 2-1 in the top of the second inning.

The Grizzlies padded their lead slightly in the bottom of the third on a Jason Patton lead-off solo home run that gave them a 3-1 lead. But in the top of the fifth, the Wild Things put together three singles, the last of which chased Alan Robbins home off the bat of Mark McGonigle to bring the Wild Things back within one, 3-2.
Another Gateway home run, this one pounded out by Justin Baum, gave the Grizzlies a two-run lead again in the bottom of the frame, but that lead was soon washed away when the Wild Things took the lead for good in the sixth inning. Rivera's home run in the sixth was his third of the season. All of his home runs have come on the road. He and Duron each went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the game to lead the Washington offense. Patton and Charlie Lisk each had two hits for Gateway.



Tim Smith went five innings and allowed four runs in the win for the Wild Things. He is 2-0. Matt Vieria, Kevin Hammons and Eryk McConnell combined to go four innings in relief to keep the Grizzlies off the board. McConnell earned his first and the Wild Things' second save of the season. Mark Brackman took the loss for Gateway after going seven innings and allowing five runs on seven hits. With the win, the Wild Things improve to 6-4 in 2010. The Grizzlies are 6-5.

The Wild Things will play game two of the three-game set in Sauget, Ill., against Gateway Wednesday at 8:05 p.m. at GCS Ballpark. Spencer Hylander will toe the mound for the Wild Things going up against Gateway's John Flanagan. Pregame coverage starts at 7:55 p.m. on WJPA 95.3 FM. The Wild Things return home to CONSOL Energy Park June 4 when they take on the River City Rascals. Tickets are available at the box office, on the team website or by calling 866-456-WILD.