Observer reporter

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Brandon McIlwain hit a grand slam in the first inning, Kobe Foster pitched into the ninth and the Wild Things defeated Evansville 7-2 Saturday night at Bosse Field.

McIlwain’s first home run with Washington gave the Wild Things an early 4-0 lead. It came off Evansville starter Braden Scott (1-9).

The big bang was all the support Foster and reliever Brendan Nail needed. Foster (6-1) allowed just four hits and two runs (one earned) in eight-plus innings. He walked none and struck out 10. It was the fourth straight start in which Foster had double-digit strikeouts.

Evansville scored an unearned run in the first inning before Foster took over and retired 15 straight Otters.

In the seventh inning, Washington made it 6-1 when Ethan Wilder hit a two-run single that drove in Andrew Czech and Jalen Miller. The Wild Things added another run in the ninth when Robert Chayka bounced in a fielder’s choice that scored Czech, who reached base four times.

Foster allowed a leadoff double in the ninth inning, ending his night.

The victory, combined with Florence’s 8-5 win at Lake Erie, extended Washington’s lead over the second-place Crushers in the Frontier League’s West Division to 2½ games.