McNeely, Reed key in Wild Things’ 6th straight win
Since his return to the lineup from the injured list on the Fourth of July, Tyreque Reed has been an impact player in the middle of an impact lineup.
Caleb McNeely, however, has been consistent all season, which is why he is headed to the Frontier League’s All-Star Game next week.
Reed and McNeely were two of the key players in the Wild Things’ 7-1 victory Tuesday night in a series opener against Evansville that extended Washington’s winning streak to six games.
Reed rode the momentum of his four-hit, two-home run game Sunday by going 3-for-4 with four RBI against the Otters, including a three-run homer in the third inning. McNeely, the Wild Things’ regular center fielder, got a rare start at third base, and in addition to making several slick fielding plays he went 3-for-4 and hit a solo home run.
Left fielder Evan Berkey made it a three-homer night for Washington with a two-run opposite-field shot in the fifth inning, ending any chance of a comeback.
Washington had 12 hits off three Evansville pitchers, including starter Tristan Harvin (2-4), who gave up 11 hits and seven runs in five innings.
Evansville struck first, scoring in the top of the first against Washington starter Malik Barrington (3-2). Giovanni Digiacomo led off with a single, stole second base, advanced on a wild pitch and scored when David Mendham grounded out.
Barrington allowed one run and three hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out six.
Washington made it 1-1 in the bottom of the first when Reed reached on an infield single that scored Ethan Wilder.
The Wild Things took the lead with a four-run third inning that included Reed’s three-run, line-drive homer to center field. McNeely led off the inning with his 12th home run, which ties him for the league lead. McNeely has a league-high 53 RBI.
Reed, the designated hitter, collected his third hit of the game, a soft liner into right field with one out in the fifth, and Berkey followed with an opposite-field blast off the top tier of signage in right field, making the score 7-1.
Since being activated off the injured list, Reed is 8-for-15 with three home runs and nine RBI.
Nick MacDonald and Justin Goossen-Brown followed Barrington on the mound and combined for three scoreless innings of relief.
Extra bases
Washington pitching coach Alex Boshers will be part of the West Division staff for the Frontier League All-Star game that will be played July 17 in Quebec City, it was announced Tuesday. The West Division will be managed by Lake Erie’s Jared Lemieux. His staff also will include Florence hitting coach Craig Massey. The East Division will be managed by Quebec’s Pat Scalabrini. … Washington outfielder Wagner Lagrange missed his fourth consecutive game with an injury. … According to a team official, Washington bench coach Ryan Withorn has resigned to pursue college coaching opportunities. … Evansville first baseman Dakota Phillips made a sensational catch on a foul ball hit by Robert Chayka that ended the third inning. Phillips went into the Wild Things’ bullpen, over both mounds and made the catch as he crashed into the fence in front of the Party Deck while running at full speed. Phillips laid on the front slope of the bullpen mounds for about five minutes as the Evansville trainer checked his left knee but he remained in the game. … Attendance was 731, the smallest of the season.