Wild Things Rally on Father's Day Falls Short
Published on June 16, 2013 under National Association (NA)
Washington Wild Things News Release
Most fathers teach their children a harsh truth in baseball, sometimes it's not how hard you hit the ball, but where you hit it.
The Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, learned this lesson the hard way in a 7-5 Father's Day loss to the Evansville Otters on Sunday.
Washington (15-11) had a 1-0 lead heading into the fourth inning, but they allowed four runs in the top of the frame, and it would be smooth sailing for the Otters (18-8) after that.
Starter Shawn Sanford (4-1) walked the first two Evansville batsmen he saw in the fourth. A throwing error by third baseman Jovan Rosa on a third baseman Nick Marino sacrifice bunt attempt allowed designated hitter Nick Schwaner to score from second, and tie the game at one. The following batter, second baseman Frank Martinez, hit a weak grounder between shortstop and third base, scoring first baseman Andrew Clark. Two batters later, with the bases loaded, Sanford allowed another perfectly placed hit to shortstop Ryan Kresky, which drove in two and gave Evansville a 4-1 advantage.
In the top of the fifth, the Frontier League batting average leader, Clark, hit his sixth homer, and second in as many nights, over the left-center fence to push the Otter lead to four.
Sanford has looked like the ace of this Washington rotation, but had a disappointing start. He pitched five innings, allowing seven runs on five hits; he walked five and struck out five.
Evansville continued to push runs across the plate in the top of the fifth.
Wild Things centerfielder Darian Sandford wasn't able to make a diving catch, thus John Schultz was credited with a two-run triple, giving the Otters a six-run advantage.
Designated hitter Mark Samuelson was 3-for-4 with two RBI for the Wild Things in this game. He brought in Sandford with a double in the bottom of the first and propelled a solo home run off Bryce Morrow (4-1) in the bottom of the seventh.
Washington attempted to mount a comeback in the bottom of the ninth loading the bases on Otters reliever Kyle Wormington. First baseman Stewart Ijames grounded out to first, but scored Rosa on the fielder choice. With runners on second and third, shortstop AJ Nunziato was able to rip a single over second base, scoring both runners, and cutting the Evansville lead to 7-5.
Otters closer Eric Massingham got the call to make the save. He was able to strike out Jim Vahalik, but walked right fielder Gus Benusa, and with runners on first and second, pinch-hitter CJ Beatty flew out to center to give the closer his seventh save of the year.
The Wild Things welcome the Traverse City Beach Bums to Washington for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday with "Bark in the Park", where the Wild Things faithful are encouraged to bring their canine companion to CONSOL Energy Park.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online at www.washingtonwildthings.com or by stopping at the CONSOL Energy Park Box Office.
National Association Stories from June 16, 2013
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- CornBelters Avoid Series Sweep; Grizzlies Win Streak Stops at Nine - Gateway Grizzlies
- Crushers fly by Aviators - Lake Erie Crushers
- CornBelters Split on Sunday at Gateway - Normal CornBelters
- Aviators Drop 8-4 Decision to Lake Erie - Rockford Aviators
- Tanis' Sac Fly Lifts Freedom to 3-2 Win in 10 - Florence Y'alls
- Miners Fall in Finale - Southern Illinois Miners
- Otters Win Eighth Straight Series with 7-5 Victory on Father's Day - Evansville Otters
- Wild Things Rally on Father's Day Falls Short - Washington Wild Things
- Beach Bums Club Their Way to Sweep of Slammers - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Big Promotional Week on Tap - Southern Illinois Miners
- June 16 Joliet Slammers Game Notes - Joliet Slammers
- Otters Look for Eighth Straight Series Win - Evansville Otters
- Aviators Go for the Sweep on Family Day - Rockford Aviators
- Aviators outlast Crushers Crushers fall in five hour marathon - Lake Erie Crushers
- Aviators Walk-Off in Marathon vs Lake Erie - Rockford Aviators
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