Washington Drops Series Finale to Joliet
JOLIET, Il. (August 15) - The Wild Things scored first in Thursday's series finale but a two-error, three-hit, three-run third for the Joliet Slammers was the difference, as Joliet hung on to win and even the season series at six in its final contest, by a final of 4-1.
Washington scored in the first inning when catcher Cody Erickson drove home Ryan Cox, who had walked on four pitches to start the game, with a sacrifice fly. The Wild Things loaded the bases in the second but didn't get anything out of it, despite the three baserunners reaching on free passes.
Joliet's third inning was the difference. After JJ Fernandez dropped a foul ball trying to make a basket, over-the-shoulder catch, Chaz Meadows walked. It would snowball on the Wild Things, who saw Joliet notch a bunt single, a broken-bat flair single and a fister through the middle for their three hits in the inning. Washington also made two errors in the inning, and found themselves down 3-1 as a result.
Joliet starter Keegan Long retired 13 of the next 14 Wild Things to come to the plate after they had the bases full with one out in the second. An inning-ending double play started the string. In total the Wild Things managed just two hits. Washington also loaded the bases with one out in the seventh but another double play on the first pitch of Cox' at bat resulted in Long getting out of the frame unscathed.
Clayton Harp hit a solo homer in the seventh to push the Slammers lead to 4-1.
John Havird started for Washington and logged seven innings, allowing four runs, three of which were earned, on nine hits. Havird fanned five and walked two. Jesus Balaguer ran his scoreless innings streak to 14.1 frames with a scoreless eighth.
The Wild Things and Slammers split the season series. Washington now returns home for the penultimate homestand of the season, with three against the Windy City ThunderBolts over the weekend. Friday's first pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. ET.
