FL Washington Wild Things

Wild Things Win Big in Game Two, Drop Game One to Grizzlies

Published on July 4, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Washington Wild Things News Release


SAUGET, Ill. - After dropping the first game of a doubleheader, 7-4, on Monday, the Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, bounced back for a big victory in game two, defeating the Gateway Grizzlies by a score of 9-3.

In game one, the Wild Things jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning. The first four batters reached base, including center fielder Chris Sidick, who singled to score second baseman Scott Lawson. With the bases loaded, left fielder Derek Perren brought home right fielder Doug Thennis. Sidick then scored on a wild pitch.

After retiring the first 13 batters he faced, Wild Things starter Justin Hall (4-3) then gave up four hits in a row in the fourth inning, including back-to-back home runs to first baseman Logan Parker and third baseman Charlie Lisk, that put the Grizzlies up 4-3.

Gateway would add to their lead in the fifth with three more runs. Right fielder Joe Agreste hit an RBI infield single, then Parker, facing reliever Davis Bilardello, doubled to drive in two more runs.

The Wild Things added one more run in the top of the seventh. Catcher Ryan Morrow scored on a sacrifice fly by Sidick to make the final score 7-4.

In game two, the Wild Things once again were able to take an early lead, but this time held onto it thanks to two home runs as well as doubles in six of the game's seven innings. After designated hitter Ernie Banks scored on a ground out by Drew Rossi in the second, Washington scored five runs on blasts by first baseman Eric Stephens and right fielder Luis Rivera in the third to jump out to a 6-0 lead.

The Grizzlies scored two runs in the bottom half of the third and brought the tying run to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, but starting pitcher Jhonny Montoya struck out the Frontier League career home run leader, Charlie Lisk, to end the inning. Reliever Kevin Hammons would later have to face Lisk with the bases loaded and two outs again in the fifth, and once again the Wild Things managed to work out of the jam.

Washington added three more runs to pad their lead, with one run in the fifth and two in the sixth. Banks doubled to drive in Stephens in the fifth. An inning later, Lawson scored on a wild pitch and catcher Blake Ochoa hit an RBI double.

Facing reliever Ross Gusky in the bottom of the seventh, the Grizzlies added one run on an error by first baseman Eric Stephens.

Montoya (1-1) threw four innings and allowed two runs on six hits in the no decision. Hammons (4-1), after retiring three batters in a row in a bases-loaded situation upon entering the game, pitched two innings and allowed no runs and hits with three strikeouts.

Washington travels to River City for a three-game series beginning tomorrow at 8:05 p.m.. Pre-game coverage starts at 7:55 p.m. on WJPA 95.3 FM. The Wild Things will return to CONSOL Energy Park on Friday, July 8, for a 6:35 p.m. match-up against the Grizzlies. Stick around after the game for Fireworks Friday presented by Washington Financial. Purchase tickets by visiting www.washingtonwildthings.com, calling 724-250-9555 or stopping by the CONSOL Energy Park Box Office.

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Frontier League Stories from July 4, 2011


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