In an early game that saw rain clouds, the Washington Wild Things weren’t able to shake their own personal rain cloud, as they dropped another game to the Lake Erie Crushers, 6-4.
The Crushers wasted no time getting on the board, putting up the first two runs of the game in the top of the first inning. Wild Things pitcher Shawn Blackwell allowed a leadoff walk before giving up a triple to Max Casper. On the triple, Casper was able to score on a throwing error by All Star CJ Beatty.
The Crushers would add two more runs, both driven in by Daniel Bowman in the third inning as well as the fifth inning, taking a 4-0 lead on the Wild Things and Blackwell.
After allowing a leadoff single in the 6th, Blackwell was pulled in favor of Zach Fleshman.
The seventh inning would prove to be busy for both teams, as the Crushers and Wild Things put up five runs total. The Crushers scored two runs behind back-to-back jacks by Andrew Davis and Bowman. The solo shot for Bowman was his second of the day and his third RBI of the contest.
In the bottom half, Shain Stoner drew a walk after Stewart Ijames struck out swinging at the plate. Mark Samuelson followed that up with a single that Jim Vahalik followed up with a double that plated Stoner. Gus Benusa would keep it going by hitting a sac-fly to score Samuelson and Alex Buccilli would double in another run before the inning was over, cutting the deficit to three.
The Wild Things made one last push in the bottom of the ninth, but ultimately fell short after Benusa drove in the final run.
Blackwell lasted 5.0 innings, allowing 4 earned runs, 6 hits, 6 strikeouts, and 3 walks. Samuelson and Vahalik were the only Wild Things with multiple hits while Benusa drove in two runs on no hits.
Washington will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow night at 7:05 pm ET at CONSOLE Energy Park.
Photo Credit: Washington Wild Things
