Wild Things Sweep Miners Behind Chase Cunningham, Triple Play

WASHINGTON, PA - The Washington Wild Things (8-4) defeated the Southern Illinois Miners (4-8) by a score of 7-3 Thursday night to complete the sweep and extend their winning streak to four games.

Right-handed pitcher Chase Cunningham (2-0) went 6.1 innings in his third quality start in as many games this season for the Wild Things, allowing his first three earned runs on the year off seven hits while striking out two. Cunningham’s earned run average is now 0.66 on the season.

Washington opened up the scoring with a run-scoring double by third baseman Mike Hill to score Jace Conrad in the first inning to make it 1-0. The Miners scored two in the top of the fourth to go ahead 2-1, however in the bottom of the frame the Wild Things got RBI base hits by first baseman Kane Sweeney and designated hitter Kenny Peoples-Walls to lead 3-2. Washington never relinquished the lead for the rest of the game.

The Wild Things added some insurance in the sixth inning after a two-RBI double by outfielder Hector Roa, while Washington also scored two in the eighth despite not recording a base hit in the frame to lead 7-3 after eight, full innings.

A tense, ninth-inning saw the bases loaded for the Miners with just one out. Right-handed pitcher Zach Strecker recorded his third save of the season after coming in relief of right-handed pitcher Joe Ravert to strike out Ryan Lashley and getting the final batter to fly out to center field.

For the Wild Things, it is the first sweep of the Southern Illinois Miners since July, 2014, when Washington swept the Miners in a three-game set.

The Washington Wild Things start a three-game series with the Florence Freedom Friday, May 26. Freedom will start right-handed pitcher Logan Longwith, who will be opposed by right-handed pitcher Jordan Schwartz for the Wild Things. First pitch at Wild Things Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.