Washington's Comeback Attempt Comes Up Just Short in Series Finale at Joliet
JOLIET, IL (May 31) - The Washington Wild Things (10-8) fell to the Joliet Slammers (7-11) 7-5 in the rubber game of the series Thursday. After tailing 4-0, then 7-2, Washington got the tying run on base in the ninth before its comeback effort was put to a halt.
Joliet drew first blood early in the contest by scoring a run in the first inning. Wild Things starting pitcher Mike Anthony (0-2) let up double and a walk on the first two batters he faced. The next batter up reached on a fielder’s choice and the run scored after an error by first baseman Reydel Medina.
The Slammers were able to add to their lead in the second inning by plating three more runs. Meanwhile, The Wild Things could not seem to find a rhythm throughout the first six innings of the game. This was largely in part to Joliet’s starting pitcher Liam O’ Sullivan (1-2) allowing just one hit throughout that time.
In the seventh the comeback began as Roman Collins recoded the second hit of the night for Washington by hitting his second home run of the season. Right fielder Hector Roa would keep the comeback going by hitting an RBI single that scored Reydel Medina.
In the bottom of the seventh the Slammers added more insurance by plating three more runs making it 7-2.
With limited time left to complete the comeback center fielder James Harris was able to knock in shortstop Justin Bohn on an RBI single to make it 7-3 in the eighth. After that, McEachern was able to bring in designated hitter Mick Fennell and Collins was able to bring in Harris making it a three-run inning, but the Wild Things still trailed by a score of 7-5.
In the top of the ninth Washington threatened with the tying run in scoring position and the go-ahead run on base at first, but came up short as Collins grounded to first to end the game.
The Wild Things are back in action tomorrow against the Windy City ThunderBolts.
First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 EST in the opener of the weekend set.
