Fast start lifts Wild Things to 8-0 win
CRESTWOOD, Ill. – James Harris, Bralin Jackson and Hector Roa each homered, Chase Cunningham threw seven shutout innings and the Wild Things moved back to within a half-game of the final playoff berth in the Frontier League with an 8-0 victory over the Windy City ThunderBolts Sunday night at Standard Bank Stadium.
Harris (2-for-4) led off the game with a home run off Windy City starter Patrick Ledet (1-2) and Jackson hit a three-run homer, his team-leading 16th of the year, during Washington’s five-run third inning that gave the Wild Things a 6-0 lead.
That was enough support for Cunningham (10-3) and two relievers who combined on a five-hit shutout.
With one week left in the regular season, Evansville currently is in the first of the two wild-card playoff spots. The Otters are two games ahead of Windy City. The ThunderBolts are a half-game ahead of Washington and 1½ ahead of River City.
Windy City begins a series Tuesday at Lake Erie while River City hosts West Division-leader Florence. The Wild Things are off until Wednesday, when they host Joliet in a doubleheader, one of two twinbills for Washington this week.
Roa hit a two-run homer, his 15th of the season, in the fifth inning.
Cunningham gave up only three hits and three walks. Jacob Condra-Bogan and Davis Adkins each threw a shutout inning in relief.