Things’ lineup rallies to defeat Normal
NORMAL, Ill. – Through the first seven innings it looked as if Washington was on pace to be shutout for the first time this season.
Normal pitcher Edgar De La Rosa, a former member of the Detroit Tigers organization, quieted the Things for most of the night.
However, his bullpen couldn’t say the same.
After being replaced at the start of the seventh inning, De La Rosa saw the lead and a possible win slip away as Washington scored five runs in the eighth inning to defeat Normal, 6-2, Wednesday night at The Corn Crib.
The eighth-inning rally started when Justin Bohn brought home John Fidanza, who reached on a leadoff walk, with a single. Rashad Brown scored on a Bralin Jackson fielder’s choice to tie the game at 2-2.
The Things then pulled away with a ground-rule double from Hector Roa to score Justin Bohn. Mike Hill made sure to give Washington starting pitcher Trevor Foss even more wiggle room with a two-run home run to put Washington up 5-2.
Foss (7-3) made sure Washington manager Gregg Langbehn didn’t have to use the same signal to the bullpen that devastated the CornBelters, only giving up six hits and two runs – one earned – through his nine innings of work.
The only runs surrendered by Foss came in the second inning when Normal’s Molan Meadows and Justin Fletcher scored to put the CornBelters up 2-0.
Before handing it over to the bullpen in the seventh inning, De La Rosa only allowed three hits and struck out eight.
Shawn Blackwell (4-2) was given the loss for Normal.