The Washington Wild Things were well on their way to a series victory over the Frontier Greys until two eighth inning errors cost them dearly as they fell 3-2 on Thursday night at CONSOL Energy Park.
Washington starter Luke Wilkins was perfect through five innings and held a no hitter through six before encountering trouble in the seventh.
Wilkins started the inning allowing his first hit of the game. He then allowed a walk and a fielders choice setting up runners at the corners and one out.
The right-hander then struck out Dillon Haupt for the second out before walking another to load the bases. He escaped the inning, however, by getting a ground out to second to end the frame.
The same couldn’t be said for the eighth inning as the Greys (36-39) took advantage of two costly errors beginning with a fielding error by second basemen Matt Ford ending Wilkins’ night.
Steve Messner (2-2) then came in and immediately committed an error himself to put the tying run on with no out. He then hit a batter and allowed an RBI single to Julio Rodriguez to cut the Washington lead to 2-1.
Messner then recorded a strikeout before back-to-back singles gave the Greys a 3-2 lead.
The Wild Things (32-43) took an early 2-0 lead in the first on a Sam Mende 2-RBI double, but couldn’t do much after as they put only one runner in scoring position the rest of the way.
Washington will look to rebound on the road as they begin a three-game set against the Normal CornBelters in Normal starting Friday night at 7:05.
Starters Lines
(WAS) Wilkins (ND): 7+ IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K’s, 1 WP. 98 Pitches (64 Strikes).
(FRO) Feldtman (W, 4-1): 7 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K’s. 99 Pitches (64 Strikes).
(Photo Credit: Washington Wild Things)
