FL Washington Wild Things

Wild Things Fall 4-3 in Extra Innings

May 19, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Washington Wild Things News Release


EVANSVILLE, IN - Jhonny Montoya pitched six innings of three-hit, shutout ball against the Evansville Otters Saturday night, but it wasn't enough as the Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial fell to the Evansville Otters 4-3 in ten innings. The right-hander struck out nine, while waking just two.

On Friday night the Wild Things were able to withstand a late inning rally from the Otters. Saturday's rally proved to be too much.

The Wild Things jumped were once again able to jump out to an early lead for the second night in a row. With Luis Rivera on second base courtesy of a two-out double, Michael Bando slapped the delivery from Matt Crim to shortstop Jon Karcich, who couldn't handle the grounder as it skipped into left field. Rivera rounded third and scored to make it 1-0 in favor of the Wild Things.

Washington had an opportunity to plate a run earlier in the game in top of the second, with runners at the corners and nobody out. However, Evansville's Crim struck out the next three batters to end the threat.

Montoya ran into similar trouble in the bottom half of the frame. After giving up back-to-back singles to begin inning, Montoya demonstrated resilience rivaling his counterpart and struck out the next three batters, averting danger.

The Wild Things' hurler would again get into trouble in the fourth, giving up a leadoff single and a walk, but battled back to strike out the next to batters and then get Troy Frazier to fly out to center fielder Alan Boyer. Boyer made a sliding grab in center to retire Frazier, similar to his stellar catch to end the game on Friday night.

The Wild Things made it 2-0 in the fifth, this time after a leadoff double put Matt McConnell at second. McConnell would advance to third on Alan Boyer's groundout and score on Shain Stoner's grounder to third baseman Nick Schwaner that got through his glove.

Mitch Denning then worked a five-pitch walk, and Doug Thennis followed with a single through the right side to score Stoner to make it 3-0.

In the seventh was when Washington began to get into trouble. Kyle Wahl was summoned to replace starter Montoya, and walked the first to batters he faced. That would be all for Wahl, who was replaced by Mickey Cassidy. Cassidy got Troy Frazier out on a sacrifice bunt, but then walked the next batter, Matt Sheely.

With the bases loaded, Cassidy, who at first appeared to hit Alan Foltz but was ruled a foul ball, struck out Foltz to get the second out of the inning. Nick Cicio then struck out Frank Martinez after coming in to replace Cassidy to end the inning.

Washington faced more trouble in the eighth, and the Otters would take advantage and begin to make their comeback.

With runners on second and third, an RBI single by Brett Chamberlain scored Nick Schwaner to cut the Wild Things' lead to 3-1. Evansville scored another run on a wild pitch from Cicio as Nick Schwaner crossed the plate.

In the ninth was where playing with fire would hurt the Wild Things. An RBI double by Frank Martinez scored Alex Foltz to knot the game at three.

The tenth inning ultimately spelled doom for the Wild Things, as Karcich doubled down the third base line to start off the tenth for Evansville. He would advance to third on a pass ball. Pitcher Ross Gusky then walked Chamberlain and Garcia to load the bases. Another pass ball allowed the winning run to cross the plate, capping the comeback and a 4-3 win for Evansville.

Ross Gusky was saddled with the loss for Washington, while Eric Massingham earned the win for Evansvile. Gusky gave up three hits, two runs (one earned.) Massingham pitched just 1/3 of an inning, fanning the only batter he faced.

Tomorrow night Chris Smith will be on the mound for the Wild Things, he will be opposite Garrett Bullock. First pitch is set for 7:05 local time.

The Wild Things return to CONSOL Energy Park on Tuesday, May 22 for their home opener against the Gateway Grizzlies as part of Legends Week. Tickets are available and can be purchased by visiting www.washingtonwildthings.com, the CONSOL Energy Park box office, or by calling 866-456-WILD.

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