Wild Things’ Forrest victorious in professional debut
The Wild Things proved a couple of things with their 5-3 victory Wednesday night over the Gateway Grizzlies.
Washington proved that it can indeed score against Gateway at Wild Things Park, even if walks contributed mightily to the offense.
The other thing Washington showed was that when its bullpen is rested, it is difficult to play come-from-behind ball against the Wild Things.
Washington scored five early runs for rookie starting pitcher Aaron Forrest, who was the winner in his professional debut. Forrest turned the game over to relievers Justin Goossen-Brown and Christian James, and the righthanders combined for four shutout innings, allowing only one hit.
Forrest (1-0), a rookie out of Doane University, an NAIA school in Nebraska, pitched five innings. He allowed four hits and three runs. He walked four and struck out three.
“He did a good job,” Washington manager Tom Vaeth confirmed. “He had some walks that came around to hurt him because, at times, he was trying to be too fine. But he gave us exactly what we needed.”
The Wild Things ended a string of 26 consecutive scoreless innings at home against Gateway – three consecutive shutouts – by scoring in the opening frame against starter Teague Conrad (3-1). Washington loaded the bases with no outs when Evan Berkey and Alex Ovalles started the inning with walks and Andrew Czech lined a single up the middle.
The Wild Things, however, turned the good start into only one run, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Tommy Caufield.
The lead grew to 4-0 in the second inning as Conrad hit Robert Chayka with a pitch to start the inning and later walked Ovalles and Czech. Conrad, who entered the game with a 1.44 ERA, walked four in 1 2/3 innings.
Washington scored in the second when Czech drew a bases-loaded walk and Wagner Lagrange followed with a key two-out, two-run single.
Gateway closed to within 4-2 by scoring twice in the third inning. Cole Brannen and Kyle Gaedele started the inning with consecutive walks, setting up an RBI single by Tate Wargo and a sacrifice fly by Peter Zimmerman.
The Wild Things left the bases loaded in each of the next two innings, scoring only one run in that stretch, on a passed ball.
Washington left 11 runners on base, including 10 in the first four innings.
“I said about three times in the dugout that we were one swing away from busting the game open,” Vaeth said. “These are good games for us, in terms of trying to figure things out. All eight of the games we have played (against Gateway) have been playoff-like games. You find out how to grind things out because offense doesn’t come easily in September.”
Because of all the Gateway walks by its pitchers – eight in the game, all over the first four innings — Forrest had to wait out some long half innings in the dugout, which can make it difficult for a young pitcher to get into a rhythm.
“I’d give myself a C+ or B- grade,” Forrest said. “I’ve got to get ahead in the count. At times, I was trying to do too much, forcing the offspeed stuff to break …”
Forrest gave way to Goossen-Brown in the sixth and he threw two innings, allowing only one baserunner. Christian James, who started a game against Gateway last week in Sauget, Ill., pitched the final two innings for his first save. He retired all six batters he faced, including two via strikeout.
More importantly, James gave Washington closer Gyeongju Kim another day of rest.
“That was a gut read,” Vaeth said, “on how they looked in the box against C.J. They didn’t look comfortable so we decided to go with C.J. in the ninth.
“We played shorthanded on the road last week and had to start C.J. one game. Having guys fresh in the bullpen makes a difference.”
Extra bases
Washington center fielder Caleb McNeely had the night off after playing in each of the first 33 games this season. Shortstop Caleb Clowers missed his third consecutive game with an injury. … Gateway was at the league minimum 22 active players. The Grizzlies have not announced their starting pitcher for tonight’s series finale. … Ovalles walked three times in the game’s first three innings. … Wargo (3-for-3), the Grizzlies’ No. 9 hitter, had three of Gateway’s five hits. … Washington has eight hits – all singles – in the series.