Gary Lee was dazzling for the Wild Things all evening long, giving up one hit and flirting with a no-hitter until the eighth inning, as the Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial,topped the Rockford River Hawks 3-0 at CONSOL EnergyPark in front of 1,721.
Lee kept the River Hawk batters off-balance with his assortment of pitches throughout the evening and exited with a 1-0 lead.
It was the newfound father's first start since celebrating the birth of his first child, and what better way to do so than by hurling a one-hitter?
Lee's bid for the no-no came to an end in the top of the eighth, when Mike Thomas singled through the hole on the right side. Lee was promptly removed from the game for Orland Santos, who induced an inning ending double play to erase the threat.
RickDevereaux doubled to left-center field to lead off the second. Devereaux advanced to third on a throwing error after Johnanthan Erb lined out to Rockford first basemanEvan Button. Taylor Oldham followed with a single up the middle with the infield in to score Devereaux from third.
That would be the extent of the offense until the bottom of the eighth, as pitching took center stage in a battle of Lees at CONSOL EnergyPark for the remainder of the evening.
Rockford starter Mike Lee went a solid 7 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits,while striking out seven.
Gary Lee, however; would not be outdone.
As with any near no-hitter, it wouldn't come without it's fair share of defensive splendor from the other eight members in the field.
JohnathanErb provided that help time and time again Tuesday evening, making a diving grab on a liner in the sixth and another diving stab on a grounder in the hole to preserve
WillArnold also wouldn't be left out of the defensive showcase, making a nice throw off of his back foot on a ball up the middle in the seventh to retire Matt Greener.
TheWild Things added a couple of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth, asDoug Thennis singled in Will Arnold and Matt McConnell scored on a pass ball.
Thirteen out of the 22 batters Gary Lee faced were retired on ground ball outs, and the righty was greeted with a rousing ovation after giving up his lone hit of the evening.
StevenGrife came on in the ninth to record his fifth save of the year, while Lee's record improves to 3-3 on the year.
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