Behind Stellar Performance From Chase Cunningham, Wild Things Take Middle Game

CRESTWOOD, Il. (August 18) - The Washington Wild Things, who entered the night one game back of first-place Joliet in the East Division, are now in a tie for first place, thanks largely in part to a stellar pitching performance from right hander Chase Cunningham in the middle game of the series with Windy City Saturday. Cunningham has now allowed just three runs in 41 career innings at Standard Bank Stadium, as he stifled Windy City's bats over eight scoreless innings en route to his 7th win of 2018. Washington won 1-0 with the lone run coming in on first baseman Reydel Medina's run-scoring triple in the fourth.

Cunningham threw eight scoreless innings and allowed just six hits, didn't walk a batter and fanned three, en route to the win. Windy City's starter, Jake Welch, spun a nine-inning complete game, allowing just three Washington hits and the run. Welch is now 7-6.

Washington (47-36) went down in order in every single inning with the exception of two: the fourth inning, in which the Things scored their run, and the ninth, in which Roman Collins doubled on a ball two outfielders lost in the lights. After Welch raced through the Wild Things' lineup on 22 pitches in three perfect innings, center fielder James Harris singled to open the fourth inning. He stole second, moved to third on a Collins groundout, and scored on Medina's triple to give Washington the only run it needed.

Zach Strecker tossed a scoreless ninth in the contest for his 19th save of 2018, as he stranded the tying run on second to end the game.

Traverse City defeated Joliet 4-1, meaning the Wild Things and Joliet are tied atop the East Division going into tomorrow's action around the league. The Wild Things' magic number for a second-consecutive playoff appearance is now 10, with 13 games left in the regular season.

Washington and Windy City will play the rubber game Sunday at 3:05 p.m. ET. Dillon Sunnafrank will toe the rubber for Washington. He'll be opposed by Braulio Torres-Perez, who goes for Windy City.