Titans can't overcome early deficit in loss to Wild Things
Jacob Talamante was a star offensively and defensively for the Ottawa Titans on Tuesday. Photo: Ottawa Titans
July 26, 2022
Official Ottawa Titans News Release
Ottawa, Ont. - The Ottawa Titans fell behind 3-0 after a half inning and couldn't manage a comeback, in a 4-2 series-opening defeat to the Washington Wild Things on Tuesday night.
Left-hander Chris Burica was tagged for three runs on five hits in the opening half inning, as the Wild Things sent a total of eight to the dish. Following a pair of singles, Andrew Czech's RBI double to right cashed in the game's opening run, before back-to-back base knocks from Hector Roa and Nick Ward had the visitors out in front early.
The Titans' offence was cooled off in the early going against right-hander Daren Osby, as the righty only surrendered three base runners over the first four innings.
After Nick Ward's RBI double with two out in the third, Burica would hone in to retire 12 of the final 16 he faced in his first start of the second half.
In the middle innings, Jacob Talamante took over the ball game on both sides of the ball. The Titans' centre fielder kept it a four-run game with a highlight-reel diving grab in right-centre to rob Ward of extra bases, stranding a potential run at third. In the bottom half of the inning, Talamante got the Titans on the board with a two-run single through the right side, scoring Matt Feinstein and Tyrus Greene to cut the deficit in half.
After Burica went seven innings of four-run (three earned) ball, Kaleb Schmidt, Matt Valin and Nelson Gonzalez combined for two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
Similar to how the night offensively started, Kenny Piersen and Luke Young shut the door out of the bullpen for the Wild Things, holding on for a 4-2 victory.
The Titans resume their series with the Washington Wild Things Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. from Ottawa Stadium. The series wraps up on Thursday night, before the Titans head on the road through Schaumburg and Tri-City.