Washington Wins Wild Extra-Inning Affair Against Miners
MARION, IL— After a thrilling 1-0 win over the Southern Illinois Miners (16-14) in Friday's series opener, the Wild Things (22-10) played another tight game Saturday night. For the 12th time this season, Washington came from behind, overcoming a 4-3 deficit in the ninth inning to win, 9-4, in 10 innings. A two-run single by shortstop Brett Marr in the top of the 10th put Washington ahead, 6-4, and the Wild Things added three insurance runs to pick up their 11th win in 12 games.
Southern Illinois opened the scoring in the bottom of the second with its first two runs of the series. First baseman Joe Dudek led things off with his sixth home run to put the Miners ahead, 1-0. Later in the frame, shortstop John Holland singled home left fielder Romeo Cortina to make it 2-0.
Washington cut the lead in half in the next half inning. After left fielder Roman Collins flew out to start the frame, catcher Kyle Pollock walked and first baseman Reydel Medina singled to put runners on the corners for right fielder Hector Roa, who promptly singled to score Pollock and make it 2-1. Roa went 4-for-5 on the night, raising his batting average to .303. The Miners pushed the lead back to two in the next half inning, however, when right fielder Noah Earley hit his fifth homer of the year.
The back-and-forth battle continued in the top of the fifth when a sacrifice fly by Collins scored Marr to make it 3-2. The Wild Things tied the game in the next inning. With one out, Roa singled for his third hit of the night, and third baseman Mike Hill subsequently drew a five-pitch walk. Designated Hitter Louis Mele then drove in his ninth run in just 23 at bats, scoring Roa with a single to tie the contest at three. That ended the night for Miners starter Austin Dubsky. In just his second start of the season, Dubsky—who has been primarily used out of the bullpen—held his own over 5.1, allowing three runs—two earned—on seven hits, while walking four and striking out five. Dubsky ended up receiving a no-decision.
Ryan Askew came on in relief with runners on first and second and one out. On a 2-0 pitch to Marr, Askew got a clutch 6-4-3 double play to end the threat and keep the game tied.
The Miners retook the lead in the seventh. With one out and runners on first and second, catcher Chance Shepard greeted reliever Davis Adkins with a single off the glove of Marr, scoring Holland.
In the top of the ninth, John Werner came on to try to save it for Southern Illinois. He started the inning by getting Marr to ground out to third. After that, center fielder James Harris drew a walk and second baseman Carter McEachern singled, moving Harris to third. Collins subsequently tied the game with a single. Washington stranded the go-ahead run on third and the game went to the bottom of the ninth, tied.
Washington’s closer, Zach Strecker, came on in a non-save situation, relieving Adkins with two outs and a runner on first in the bottom half. After walking Shepard, he got Dudek to ground out to second and send the game to extra innings. Strecker wound up being the winning pitcher.
For the Miners, Patrick Duester took the loss, giving up all six of Washington’s 10th inning runs, an inning highlighted by Marr's two-run single that gave Washington its first lead of the night.
It was a big night for Washington offensively. Along with the nine runs, the Wild Things had 16 hits, three of which were by Harris, who went 3-5 and raised his average to .355. Despite the three hits, Harris lost his Frontier League RBI lead, as Collins surpassed him with three on the night.
Like his mound opponent, Washington starter Trevor Bradley made his second start of the season after spending most of his time in relief. Bradley allowed three earned runs over five innings, giving up seven hits while walking just one and striking out a career-high eight batters.
The Wild Things go for the sweep of the Miners tomorrow at 6:05 p.m. ET.
