The Wild Things’ high-powered offense was able to get their first two batters on base as Ryan Cox led off with a single and J.R. Davis was hit by the first pitch he saw from Otters starter Jake Welch.
With one out, the red-hot Hector Roa ripped a single to the outfield, collecting his 59th and 60th RBIs on the season to give Washington an early 2-0 lead.
The Otters had a chance to score their first run in the top of the third.
Mike Rizzitello singled to lead off the inning giving the Otters their first hit off Wild Things starter Nick Wegmann.
RIzzitello would steal second and attempt to score on a two-out single by David Cronin, but Roa rifled a throw from right field that allowed catcher Drew Bene to tag out Rizzitello at home to keep the game 2-0 Washington.
The Otters would capitalize and cut the deficit in half in the fourth inning.
Keith Grieshaber led off the inning with a single up the middle and scored on an RBI double by Ryan Long on a shot to the outfield gap. Long would collect his 60th RBI of the season, tied with Roa for first in the Frontier League.
Wegmann took control the rest of the way on the mound for Washington. He allowed only a single to Tanner Wetrich after Long’s RBI over his eight innings of work. The lefty for Washington allowed only one run on five hits while striking out eight. He would earn the victory, improving his record to 6-5.
The Otters were held scoreless from the fifth inning on as Washington closer Zach Strecker pitched a clean ninth inning, striking out Grieshaber, Long, and Elijah MacNamee in order to secure the victory for the Wild Things. He earned his 10th save of the season.
Welch was solid for the Otters Friday, pitching eight shutout innings, allowing two runs on six hits, and recording seven strikeouts. With the loss, Welch’s record moves to 6-5.
