Washington Has 11-Game Home Win Streak Snapped in Low-Scoring Affair Versus Beach Bums
WASHINGTON, Pa. (June 21) - The Wild Things were riding an 11-game home win streak into the middle game of the three-game series against the Traverse City Beach Bums tonight, and after a two hour and 32 minute rain delay pushed the start of the game back to 9:37 p.m., Washington (23-12) found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-2 final score, as Traverse City (14-20) evened the series at a game apiece, forcing a rubber game Thursday night.
Despite the loss, Washington is still three games in front of second-place Lake Erie in the East Division standings of the Frontier League.
The Beach Bums got the scoring started in the second inning by scoring off a bases-loaded walk issued to nine-hitter and second baseman Josh Hauser, and added a run in the third on a solo home run by right fielder Isaac Benard, his fifth of the season, to lead 2-0 after three innings.
Washington scored a run on an RBI single by third baseman Mike Hill in the bottom of the fourth and tied the game at five in the fifth when center fielder James Harris scored on a wild pitch by Jordan Desguin, the starter for Traverse City.
The visitors took the lead for good in the top of the sixth when a run scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of left fielder Alec Olund, as the Beach Bums took a 3-2 lead, that would end up being the final.
The Wild Things had the tying run on third base and the winning run on first with two outs in the home ninth, but right fielder Hector Roa's fourth punchout of the game at the plate ended the comeback attempt and the Wild Things' 11-game home win streak.
Thomas Dorminy turned in his third-straight quality start for Washington, but got the loss, after allowing three earned on six hits and five walks in seven innings of work. Desguin got the win for Traverse City, moving to 5-0 on the year, after working five innings of two-run ball, with only one run being earned. John Michael Knighton got his fourth save by pitching a scoreless ninth for the visitors.
For Washington, first baseman Reydel Medina was 3-for-4 with three base hits and a stolen base in the loss.
The Wild Things and Beach Bums will battle for the series tomorrow night, on Dingers Only Night at Wild Things Park, presented by Venture Energy Solutions. Pittsburgh native, former Colts' punter and current Barstool Sports personality Pat McAfee will start the game in right field for Washington tomorrow and get at least one at bat. Gates open at 5 p.m. for batting practice, with a free pre-game tailgate set to start at 4 p.m. in the parking lot. The action gets underway at 7:05 p.m.
