Washington Falls 9-1 to Drop Third-Straight Series

WASHINGTON, Pa. (June 28) – The Washington Wild Things failed to capitalize in tonight’s rubber game versus the Windy City ThunderBolts, falling 9-1. With this loss, the Wild Things drop to 25-17 and the ThunderBolts move to 14-27.

Both teams struggled to get much going offensively in the first three innings, as Washington starter Michael Austin sat down the first nine batters he faced in order and Windy City’s Paddy Ledet only allowed two hits during that time.

The ThunderBolts, however, opened the scoring with second baseman Tim Zier’s two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning after Austin allowed his first baserunner and hit of the game to shortstop Omar Obregon to start the frame. Austin then went on to strike out the side.

The Wild Things answered back in the bottom of the sixth when catcher Kyle Pollock singled to plate center fielder James Harris, cutting the ThunderBolt’s lead to 2-1.

Windy City struck again in the seventh with a two-RBI single off the bat of left fielder Johnathon McCray. Third baseman Matt Brown came around to score and McCray advanced to second off an error by Washington’s right fielder Hector Roa on that same play, bringing the score to 5-1. Later in the inning, Zier got his third hit of the night when he drove in McCray on a single.

Austin finished his evening in the middle of that seventh inning, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing just two hits, two walks and three earned runs while striking out 10 Windy City hitters. The recently-acquired right-hander was charged with the loss on the night.

Right fielder Axel Johnson added three more runs to the ThunderBolts’ lead in the top of the ninth with a three-run home run, sending the final score to 9-1 Windy City.

Ledet got the win, allowing only one run on four hits and fanning three batters during his 5.2 innings on the mound.

Roa was the lone batter for Washington to record more than one hit during the game, finishing the night 2-4.

Washington moves on to host the Schaumburg Boomers in a three-game series starting tomorrow evening. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. at Wild Things Park.