WCL play heats up

MOSES LAKE — Tonight the Moses Lake Pirates return to Larson Field to start a three-game set with the Bellingham Bells.

The first pitch is set for 7:35 p.m.

It will be the first of ninefinal home games for the Pirates (20-22 overall, 16-20 in WCL play) who are definitely in the thick of the WCL plaoff hunt.

Following their three-game sweep at the hands of the Corvallis Knights this past weekend, the Pirates lost their cushion for second place and the other East Division playoff spot, if only temporarily.

Kelowna (19-23) would qualify as of today due to a better winning percentage even though both teams trail division-leading and defending WCL champs Wenatchee (22-13) by 6.5 games.

Wenatchee’s magic numer to clinch the East is seven.

Moses Lake however is benefitted by having six games in hand.

That means if both teams won their next six games, Kelowna would be 25-23 and Moses Lake would stand at 22-20 and would just need to win three of the additional six games they have yet to play to advance to the post-season.

After Bellingham, the Pirates host Kitsap (20-16) before finishing on the road at Kelowna and then at home against Cowlitz (10-25).

Overall this season the Pirates are 8-4 overall against the remaining teams on their schedule.

—Staff report