Mike Hill Homers in Loss Saturday to Lake Erie, Washington Still in First Place

WASHINGTON, Pa. (July 14) — Three defensive errors by Washington, as well as strong pitching by Lake Erie Crushers' starter Alex Romero, were key in the Wild Things' loss Saturday night. Lake Erie (28-24) beat Washington (30-23), 6-2, for the second-straight time at Wild Things Park coming out of the All Star break. The Crushers are now just 1.5 games back of the first-place Wild Things in the East Division.

The first three innings were frustrating for Lake Erie offensively. Despite having at least one runner in scoring position in the first three frames, the Crushers couldn't break through for a run, stranding seven men on base. With the contest still scoreless in the top of the fourth, Lake Erie's left fielder and number nine hitter, Tyler Cowles, hit a one-out, bases-loaded single off the top of Washington shortstop Brett Marr's glove, scoring right fielder Doug Trimble for the game’s first run.

After Wild Things’ starter Thomas Dorminy struck out third baseman Dane Hutcheon for the second out of the inning, second baseman Aaron Hill hit a two-run double, and first baseman Kewby Meyer followed with a two-run single to push the Crushers' lead to 5-0.

The Wild Things cut into the deficit in the seventh. After catcher Chase Simmons—who entered the game in the top of the sixth after Kyle Pollock was ejected—drew a walk, third baseman Mike Hill's 11th home run of the season made it 5-2. The homer also broke Romero's streak of 12 scoreless innings against the Wild Things dating back to May 18, when he threw six shutout frames against Washington in a 10-0 Crushers’ win at Sprenger Healthcare Stadium. The Wild Things threatened later in the frame, but Romero struck out center fielder James Harris with runners on first and second to end the threat.

Lake Erie added insurance in the next half inning, when Aaron Hill hit his first homer of 2018—a solo shot off Washington reliever Frank Trimarco— to make it 6-2. The homer capped off a standout performance by the Lake Erie second baseman, who went 4-5 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Dorminy suffered his first loss since June 20, allowing five runs—only one of which was earned—on five hits over five innings, while walking just one and striking out four. The 2018 Frontier League All Star is now 7-3 on the season.

For Lake Erie, Romero improved to 5-4, allowing just the two late runs while giving up five hits, walking two and tying a season-high with ten strikeouts.

The Wild Things will look to avoid a sweep tomorrow evening at 5:35.