Lopez, Sweeney Secure Home Playoff Game for Otters
September 4, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
(WASHINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA) - Right-handed pitcher Edgar Lopez tossed a career-high 7.0 scoreless innings and outfielder Chris Sweeney hit a seventh-inning solo homerun to earn a 1-0 win for the Evansville Otters (57-37) over the Washington Wild Things on Thursday night.
The final day victory secures Evansville the #4 seed in the Frontier League playoffs and the Otters will now host the Wild Things on Saturday, September 6 at Bosse Field. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm CDT. Fans can call 812-435-8686 to purchase their tickets today.
Lopez established the tone for Evansville. Making just his third career start and seventh overall appearance, Lopez did not allow a run throughout the night, and left a runner at third in three separate innings.
Sweeney's home run was his 21st of the season and it broke up a scoreless tie in the top of the seventh inning.
Washington left a runner at third base in both the first and second innings. Evansville also stranded a pair of baserunners in the fourth inning as well.
Washington starter Matt Sergey (3-1) recorded a career high 11 strikeouts in his 7.0 innings of work, but the lone run was the costly homer hit by Sweeney.
Holding the 1-0 edge, Lopez worked around a leadoff double in the bottom of the seventh to retire the next three hitters and maintain the advantage. Reliever Anthony Collazo weaved around a leadoff hit by pitch in the eighth and closer Eric Massingham (8th save) retired all three batters he faced in the ninth to finish the game.
Sweeney finished the night with two hits. Both teams combined for only eight hits on the night (5 for Evansville).
Saturday will mark the first postseason game and first playoff home game for the Otters since 2006. Evansville will have RHP Preston Olson (9-3, 2.72 ERA) against Washington LHP Zac Fuesser (9-2, 2.26 ERA). The game will be broadcast live on WUEV 91.5 FM. Mike Radomski and Bill McKeon will have the call on WUEV 91.5 FM beginning at 6:15 pm CDT.
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