Nine innings were not enough, for the Washington Wild
Things, who fell to the Lake Erie
Crushers by a final score of 3-2 in ten innings.
Washington grabbed the lead early, when left fielder Andrew Heck smashed
a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning. Heck's first
home run of the season gave the Wild Things a quick 1-0 lead.
Heck, who went 2-for-3 on the night, was hot at the
Plate all evening. The Pittsburgh, PA native has gone .435 (10-for-23)
in his last six games, adding four RBI and four runs.
Starter Casey Barnes excelled on the mound, allowing no runs on four
hits and two walks. Barnes also added six strikeouts in his six
innings of work.
Pitching proved to be strong for both teams until the seventh inning.
In the top of the seventh inning, Lake Erie combined for three
straight doubles, plating two runs in the efforts.
The Crushers took the lead, 2-1.
Lake Erie's lead, however, would not last long. Catcher Rick Devereaux
hammered a solo shot over the right field wall to lead off the bottom
of the seventh. It was Devereaux's second home run on the year, noting
the game at 2.
Newly acquired reliever Chandler Barnard made his first appearance as
a Wild Thing, allowing only two hits in his three innings of work.
Barnard, who also added four strikeouts, joined the Wild Things after
spending time with the River City Rascals.
In the top of the tenth inning, reliever Steven Grife hit shortstop
Wally Correa with the bases loaded, allowing the Crushers to take a
3-2 lead.
The Wild Thing, however, wouldn't go down without a fight. First baseman
Michael Bando drew a one-out walk to get the tying run on first. Bando
went on to swipe second, his third stolen base of the season, and
advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Brian Erie. Reliever
Jonathan Kountis held tough, getting Andrew Heck to fly out to seal
the win for the Crushers.
Center fielder Tanner Leighton, who was signed earlier today, went
3-for-4 in his debut for the Wild Things. Leighton was a home run shy
of a cycle in his first professional appearance. Leighton spent two
years at Master's College, where he led the team in stolen bases (31)
and runs scored (45) in his senior season.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WTRF. All Rights Reserved.
