Washington's Comeback Falls Short in Series Opener
WASHINGTON, Pa. (May 24) - The Washington Wild Things received a four-RBI night from a player for the first time this season, but the overall comeback effort was halted by the visiting Gateway Grizzlies (7-6) as the Wild Things (3-11) dropped the series opener 8-4 at Wild Things Park Friday.
The Grizzlies scored the first five runs of the ballgame against Wild Things' starter Ty Mondile, who fell to 0-2 with the loss. The early lead was highlighted by a three-run second inning for the visitors.
Washington responded eventually, when Wander Franco doubled home a pair of runs in the fifth inning, but Gateway got the runs right back in the sixth. In the seventh, Franco singled home two more, which brought the Gateway lead to 7-4.
In the eighth, the Wild Things loaded the bases with one out on a walk to JJ Fernandez and singles by Lucas Herbert and Blake Adams with a Mick Fennell fly out mixed in. As the go-ahead run, shortstop Ryan Cox swung at the first pitch he saw and grounded into an inning-ending double play, halting the Wild Things' rally.
Gateway got a run on a solo shot by the son of former No. 1 overall pick Shawon Dunston Sr., as Shawn Jr., who is in his first season with Gateway, homered against Wild Things' reliever Zach Strecker to push the game to 8-4, its final.
Washington and Gateway will lock horns for the middle game of the series tomorrow. Nick Wegmann will toe the rubber for Washington against Thomas Nicoll for Gateway. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.
