CornBelters surge in front, give up rally in 9th to end win streak

(Normal CornBelters)
(Normal CornBelters)

By WJBC Staff

WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Normal CornBelters came from behind to lead in the eighth inning but gave up two runs in the ninth to fall to the Washington Wild Things 4-3 on Tuesday night at CONSOL Energy Park and end a four-game winning streak.

The Wild Things opened the scoring with a two-out rally in the third inning when Andrew Heck singled, stole second and came home on a base hit by Chris Grayson. David Popkins clubbed a solo home run to straightaway center in the fourth to extend the host’s advantage to 2-0.

The CornBelters tallied in the fifth inning with a lead-off single by Brandon Roberts and a double from Dylan Kelly, with Roberts scoring on a sacrifice fly by Justin Fletcher to cut the margin to 2-1.

The Belters tied the contest in the seventh with a two-out surge as Fletcher reached on a wild pitch on his strikeout, stole second and put the game at 2-2 on a base hit up the middle by Santiago Chirino.

The CornBelters surged in front in the eighth with a lead-off single by Mitch Elliott, who took third on a base hit to right by Nolan Meadows and scored on a sacrifice fly to deep center by Roberts for a 3-2 edge.

The Wild Things pulled out the victory while down to their final out as Ricky Rodriguez and David Popkins slammed consecutive doubles off closer Race Parmenter for a 3-3 tie, and after two walks, one intentional, to load the bases Jamodrick McGruder was hit by a pitch to end the game.

Zac Grotz (1-2) worked the ninth inning for the victory while Parmenter (3-2) took the loss.

The series continues Wednesday with a 6:05 p.m. Central contest in suburban Pittsburgh as Normal’s Charlie Gillies (2-1, 2.36 ERA) starts on the mound while Washington counters with Luke Wilkins (2-3, 3.92) in a match-up of right-handers. The game can be heard live on WJBC.com with pre-game beginning at 5:50.

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