Washington Races to 9-0 Series Opening Win, Magic Number for Playoffs Down to 2

SCHAUMBURG, Il. (August 28) - With the help of four second-inning RBI singles and two late home runs, the Wild Things plated nine runs against the Boomers in Tuesday's series opener, and pitched a shutout, on the way to decreasing their playoff magic number to two.

Washington (52-39) plated four runs in the second, as shortstop Ryan Cox, third baseman Ramsey Romano, center fielder James Harris and left fielder Roman Collins all connected with run-scoring singles in succession to open the scoring and give the Things a 4-0 lead.

Michael Austin (3-3) started the game for the Wild Things and walked three while allowing five hits in five scoreless innings on his way to a win, as he moves to 1-1 in his career against Schaumburg (44-47). The Wild Things then went to Trevor Bradley, who earned a save with four shutout innings to close the game.

In the sixth, second baseman Carter McEachern hit his fourth homer of the season, a two-run shot to make it 6-0, before first baseman Reydel Medina blasted a three-run home run to right field in the ninth to bring the game to its final of 9-0.

The Wild Things' playoff magic number is now two. It will go down to one when game one between the Normal CornBelters and Florence Freedom goes final, as one of those teams will lose its 44th game tomorrow in the first of a doubleheader, leaving only four teams, one being Washington, able to win 53 games. That means with a win tomorrow in the middle game, Washington will clinch a spot in the playoffs.

First pitch of the middle game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET tomorrow. Dillon Sunnafrank will get the nod for Washington and will be opposed by Kit Fowler for the Boomers.