Wild Things Get Just Five Hits in Series Opening Defeat to Lake Erie
WASHINGTON, Pa. (Aug. 24)—The Wild Things offense struggled against Lake Erie Crushers' starting pitcher Oriel Caicedo, as Washington (50-38) dropped Friday's series opener 3-2.
The Wild Things also fall into a tie for first in the East Division with the Joliet Slammers, who defeated Windy City tonight. Their magic number to clinch the East is still at eight, while the number to clinch a postseason spot drops to four because of an Evansville loss.
Lake Erie drew first blood in the top of the first when first baseman and cleanup hitter Cody Lenahan singled home shortstop Aaron Hill to put the Crushers in front. It was the start of a big night for Lenahan, who went 3-4 with two solo home runs and three RBI.
The Crushers added on in the third on Lenahan’s first home run, which happened on a 3-2 pitch that hit off the right field foul pole to make it 2-0. It was Lenahan’s sixth homer of the season.
The score remained 2-0 until Washington cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the sixth on a solo shot by third baseman Ramsey Romano—his first as a Wild Thing. Washington threatened in the seventh, putting runners on first and third against reliever Louis Cohen. Cohen got catcher Kyle Pollock to pop up, however, and Kent Hasler got shortstop Ryan Cox to ground out, thus ending the threat.
Lake Erie got insurance in the top of the eighth on Lenahan's second long ball of the night, this one off reliever Jesus Balaguer. Although Pollock got the Wild Things to within one in the bottom of the ninth with an RBI-single, Cox subsequently grounded out to end the game.
Jake Belinda fell to 1-2, only lasting 3.1 innings and giving up three runs on four hits while walking four, striking out four more and hitting a batter. Despite the loss, Washington’s bullpen stood out, with Balaguer and Dillon Sunnafrank combining to allow one run on three hits over 5.2 frames.
Caicedo (2-4) got the win, giving up just one run on three hits over six innings while walking two and striking out five. Four Lake Erie relievers combined to allow just one run over the next four frames, with Logan Lombana picking up his 11th save to cap it off.
The middle game of the series is set for tomorrow night. Chase Cunningham (7-5, 4.58 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Wild Things, while Justin Sinibaldi (1-4, 4.20) will toe the rubber for the Crushers. Start time is scheduled for 7:05.
