Comeback Effort Falls Short in Rubber-Match Loss to River City

WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington Wild Things (13-11) ran out of steam as they fell 6-5 to the River City Rascals (12-12) today in the rubber match of their three-game series.

Brian O’Keefe (0-2) started the game on the hill and got the loss, going five innings and allowing three runs on six hits.

After conceding three unearned runs to the Rascals in the bottom of the first inning, first baseman Kane Sweeny was able to get one back as he hit a book-rule double that brought center fielder Rashad Brown around to score, putting the deficit to 3-1.

Washington then saw three-scoreless innings before the Rascals had another three-run frame, highlighted by back-to-back doubles from outfielders Brandon Thomas and Clint Freeman to lead off the inning. The Wild things answered quickly in the next inning, with another clutch hit by Kane Sweeny, a two-run homer.

The score was 6-3 heading into the ninth inning, with late-game heroics on tap, but it wouldn’t be enough. Washington shortstop Mike Hill led off the inning with a double and then was brought around to score on a single from third baseman Kyle Reese. A single by Brown in the next at-bat plated Reese, bringing the deficit to only one. The rally was then cut short, giving the Rascals a 6-5 victory.

Rashad Brown and Kane Sweeney had three hits each, leading the team. Sweeney also plated in three of the Wild Things’ runs.

The Washington Wild Things are back in action tomorrow at 7:05 p.m., as Trevor Foss is on the mound to face the Florence Freedom in the first of a three-game, weekend series.

Boxscore: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=378914