Home runs key; Things win opener
SAUGET, Ill. – James Harris, Kyle Reese and Kyle Pollock each hit a two-run homer, and rookies Aaron Burns and Trevor Bradley combined on a five-hitter as the Wild Things overcame an early deficit to beat the Gateway Grizzlies 10-2 in a series opener Friday night.
Gateway scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning against Burns (3-0), who was making his first start since June 15, but the Grizzlies were held to three hits the rest of the way. Burns pitched into the sixth inning, striking out six.
Bradley threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for his first professional save.
Washington tied the score at 2-2 on Harris’ home run in the third inning. Harris went 2-for-3 and scored three runs.
Mike Hill’s double scored Hector Roa in the fourth inning and gave the Wild Things the lead for good at 3-2.
Reese hit his two-run homer in the eighth inning and Pollock’s home run capped the scoring in the ninth.