Three-Run Lake Erie Seventh Drops Wild Things in Finale
AVON, Ohio (August 27) – The Lake Erie Crushers used a three-run seventh inning to take a 4-3 lead they wouldn’t let up in Sunday’s series finale, denying Washington its first sweep on the road this season and a fourth-straight win. The loss takes Washington’s elimination number down to one, meaning Evansville has to lose out and Washington win out for the Wild Things to make the playoffs this season.
Lake Erie got the scoring started early as the first two Crusher hitters singled to start the game, the latter of which, by Jack Harris, scored a run after Jiandido Tromp stole second and went to third on an error. The run was starter Christian James’ first run allowed since July 20, breaking a 21-inning scoreless streak. James was making his first start since 2021 when he was with Winnipeg in the American Association. The start lasted four innings and James retired all 11 he faced after the RBI single from Harris. He struck out six.
Washington got two back in the fourth on RBI singles from Robert Chayka and JC Santini before adding a run in the seventh on an error. Caleb McNeely scored it to make it 3-1 Washington.
Kyle White had tossed a scoreless frame in the fifth in relief of James. Justin Showalter worked a scoreless sixth before being tagged for three in the seventh. Jack Harris was hit by a pitch to lead the inning off which was followed by singles from Todd Isaacs Jr. and Josh Rego. The Rego single made it 3-2. A wild pitch by Matt Dallas, who entered to face Jarrod Watkins as the next hitter, made it 3-3. Dallas tossed a second wild one, moving Rego to third and he scored on a sac fly by Watkins, giving the Crushers the 4-3 lead.
Washington had just one baserunner the rest of the way, but that runner was picked off.
The Wild Things return home Tuesday for the first of a six-game homestand to round out the campaign. Promotional info and tickets for all six remaining games can be found out www.washingtonwildthings.com.
