Washington Drops Barn Burner in 14 Innings
WASHINGTON, Pa. (June 5) -Pitching was the highlight of Wednesday's middle game between the Southern Illinois Miners (12-9) and the Washington Wild Things (8-16) as the Miners outlasted the Wild Things at Wild Things Park, 5-4 in 14 innings.
The Miners struck and second, as they scored a singular run in each of the third and sixth innings before Washington got on the board with a Ryan Cox sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Most of the damage in the 14-inning affair was done late. Miners' starter Marty Anderson and Wild Things' starter Nick Wegmann both earned quality starts and no decisions, and both bullpens were effective in the contest.
After the Miners grabbed a 3-1 lead in the ninth, designated hitter Mikael Mogues, playing his second game with the Wild Things, launched a two-run, game-tying home run in the ninth which sent it to extras.
After both teams came up empty in the 10th, the international tie breaker rule was put into effect. Both teams came up empty in the 11th and 12th before trading a run each in the 13th. Ultimately, it was a base hit by SIM shortstop Bryant Flete that made the difference, as his single broke the 4-4 tie in the 14th inning. The Wild Things were able to get the winning run on board but couldn't plate even the tying run and fell in the middle game, thus setting up a rubber game tomorrow against the Miners.
Nick Durazo tossed four extra innings and struck out seven, as he drew the duties in all four international tie-breaker innings and was excellent, despite being tagged with the loss and two unearned runs. Andrew Bernstein got the win for the Miners, as he tossed three extra frames.
The two teams will reset and lock horns for the finale of the set Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at Wild Things Park. Austin Dubsky goes for the Miners against AJ Bogucki for the Wild Things.
