Big Crushers' Fourth Sinks Washington in Series Opener
AVON, Ohio (July 2) - The Washington Wild Things brought the tying run to the plate, after entering down 8-4 in the ninth, but did not succeed in their comeback effort against the Crushers, falling the first of the three-game series 8-5 Tuesday at Sprenger Healthcare Stadium. The root of the loss came back in the fourth, as Lake Erie responded to three by the Wild Things with six of their own to take a lead they wouldn't give up.
After three scoreless for both starters, both lefties, John Havird for Washington and Pat Ledet for Lake Erie, the Wild Things opened the scoring with three in the top of the fourth. Hector Roa hit a book-rule double to open the scoring before groundouts by JJ Fernandez and Mikael Mogues broughtt the next two home.
That's when things unraveled. Lake Erie brought nine to the plate in the home half, six of which scored, highlighted by a three-run, go-ahead homer by Aaron Hill to give the Crushers a 6-3 lead.
Brett Marr hit his first homer of the season in the eighth to make it a two-run game but Lake Erie immediately got two back in the bottom half. Washington's Ryan Cox hit a pinch-hit single in the ninth to bring home Saige Jenco who also had a pinch hit in the frame. Washington eventually brought the tying run to the plate, but didn't score.
The two teams meet again tomorrow for the middle game at 7:05 p.m.
