Four run ninth caps off Titans come from behind victory

Ottawa, ON – Trailing 5-2 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Ottawa Titans (38-25) scored four unanswered runs to defeat the Washington Wild Things 6-5 on Wednesday night.

Right-hander Jose Taveras (ND, 5-0) was dealing through the first two innings, retiring the first six in order, including two strikeouts. As two reached in the bottom half against Sandro Cabrera (ND, 6-2), Kai Moody’s ground ball was booted by Nick Ward at short to open the scoring. The E6 went down as an RBI, the first for Moody in his professional career after signing earlier in the week out of Cal State Northridge University. Mitsuki Fukuda followed suit and battled a seven-pitch at-bat against Cabrera, eventually singling to right, making it 2-0.

Ian Walters marked the first of five unanswered for the Wild Things with a lead-off solo shot to right-centre in the third, cutting the deficit in half at 2-1.

The Wild Things would take the lead with a big inning in the fourth, scoring a pair of runs on three hits. Tristan Peterson’s double knotted the game up at two apiece before Hector Roa’s second RBI of the series gave the visitors the lead at 3-2.

After the Titans’ lead vanished courtesy of the Wild Things bats coming alive, Cabrera finished his outing holding the home side at bay. the southpaw went seven innings, allowing two unearned runs on six hits, walking three, and striking out three. Leaving in line for the win, Cabrera retired 10 of the final 15 batters he faced.

Following a one-out double from Roa, Taveras was given the hook for lefty Grant Larson (win, 5-2) in the seventh. After a fielders choice had the Titans an out away, Devon Fisher bounced a Larson offering into shallow left for an RBI single.

Peterson’s one-out single in the eighth off Larson extended the lead to 6-2, as Stephen Knapp then silenced the Titans’ bats with a perfect frame.

Lukas Young (loss, 4-2) looked for his second save in as many days with a four-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth. Dane Tofteland got the rally started with a double to centre and was followed by a Jake Sanford walk. Moody’s RBI single up the middle scored Tofteland, making it a two-run game.

Following a strikeout of the pinch-hitter Tyrus Greene, a balk put the two in scoring position for Jackie Urbaez, who tied the game with a base hit to right. On the single, Roa’s throwing attempt home airmailed the catcher, ending up back to the screen for Urbaez to chug around to third. Clay Fisher’s second hit of the game secured the comeback with a base hit to right for the walk-off heroics.

The victory marks the Titans’ fourth walk-off win of the season and keeps the team 6.5 back of first and 2.5 games up of third place in the East Division.

Thursday’s series finale sees the Titans wrap up the home stand with the rubber match against the Washington Wild Things at 6:30 p.m. from Ottawa Stadium. Following the game, the Titans hit the road for six through Schaumburg and Tri-City.

For information on Ottawa Titans’ 2022 season tickets, group outings, and 8-game mini packs, visit the Titans’ official website at www.ottawatitans.com.

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