The Washington Wild Things, once again, fell victim to a late-inning comeback as the Evansville Otters overcame a two-run deficit twice to take the first game of a three-game set 7-6 in 10 innings at Consol Energy Park.
Leading 5-3 in the seventh inning, reliever Matt Purnell allowed a lead-off single and then threw wide of second on a bunt attempt setting up first and second with no out. Evansville lead-off hitter Ronnie Richardson then lined a double down the right field line to tie things at five.
Wild Things shut down reliever Richie Mirowski then shut down Evansville over the next three innings to force extras. The former Washington Nationals prospect faced eight batters and struck out four while not allowing a baserunner. In 5.1 innings this season, Mirowski has allowed two hits and one walk while striking out eight over two appearances.
Evansville (2-2) took the lead for the first time in the tenth against Pat Butler (0-2). John Schultz led the inning off with a double. He later scored with two out in the inning on a Chris Sweeny RBI single up the middle. He later scored a much-needed insurance run on a Josh Allen RBI single to make it 7-5.
Washington (1-3) tried to come back in the bottom of the tenth, but fell short after Maxx Garrett doubled with one out. Matt Ford then advanced him to third on a grounder to first basemen Nik Balog. Balog tripped going to the bag and missed the base allowing Ford to be safe representing the tying run.
Sam Mende followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 7-6, but it was all they would get as pinch hitter Brady North ground out to end the game.
The late-inning stumble by the bullpen erased a solid start by Tim Flight, who allowed one run over the first three innings before hitting a snag in the fourth when he allowed a walk and two hits. He finished after the fifth allowing five hits and three runs while walking three and striking out five.
The Wild Things offense was paced by two-hit nights by C.J. Beatty, Maxx Garrett and Matt Ford. The three combined for three RBI. David Popkins added a mammoth solo home run over the scoreboard in right field in the first and finished the night with an RBI and two runs scored.
(Photo Credit: Washington Wild Things)
