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Freedom flattens Things
Ernie Banks tried very hard Tuesday night to play a starring role for the Wild Things.
The Washington pitching staff, and Florence's hitters, wouldn't let him.
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Florence, however, smacked 16 hits, including 10 for extra bases, and pounded the Wild Things 15-5.
Florence second baseman Billy Mottram became the first player to hit for the cycle in a Frontier League game in Washington. The league leader in home runs, Mottram went hitless in his first two at-bats, then tripled off the wall in right centerfield in the third inning, laced a single past Banks at first base in fifth, homered to left field in the seventh and doubled off the centerfield wall in the eighth. The homer was the 15th for Mottram, who hit only 10 for the Freedom last year.
"I imagine by the all-star game he'll be getting some calls (from scouts)," Florence manager Toby Rumfield said. "It's tougher for a position player to get picked up out of this league. I've seen guys hit 20 homers and never get picked up."
Florence scored in all but two innings and drained the drama from the game with a six-run third that staked the Freedom to an 8-3 lead. With the way Florence was hitting, the only suspense left was who would catch the final inning for the Wild Things. Starting catcher Alan Robbins was ejected before the first pitch of the ninth inning. Backup catcher Kris Rochelle is out with an injury and emergency catcher Josh Eachues pitched the sixth and seventh innings.
Starting shortstop Brett Grandstrand, who was supposed to have the night off, was called upon to be the catcher for the final three outs.
"I'm just trying to help the team any way I can," said Grandstrand, who had never played catcher in a professional game. "When Alan was ejected, I knew I was the only one left."
Washington coach Jon Cahill made a trip to the mound and asked the Wild Things' infielders if any of them had ever been a catcher. One player said he had - in 10th grade.
To his credit, Grandstrand caught a 1-2-3 inning without missing a pitch, which included a couple of nasty sliders from Nick Peterson.
Grandstrand's catching and Banks' homers were the only highlights for Washington. Banks hit a three-run homer in the first inning off Florence starter Everett Saul (5-1) to give the Wild Things the early lead. In the third, Banks drove a breaking ball the opposite way, into the Wild Things' bullpen and just inside the right-field foul pole.
Banks was ejected twice in three games in a series at Traverse City last month, which prompted the suspension. Since his return Saturday, Banks is 6-for-14.
"I used the time off to get my mind right and get focused on baseball," Banks said. "I got ejected twice, so I had to suffer the consequences."
Washington starting pitcher Jason Neitz (4-2) threw a two-hit shutout at Traverse City in his last outing. That game was the fastest nine-inning contest in Wild Things history, lasting one hour and 46 minutes. This time, it took nearly that long to get through Neitz's 2 2/3 innings. He gave up eight hits and eight earned runs.
The middle innings did provide some fireworks, when Banks stepped to the plate in the sixth inning for his third at-bat. Saul's first pitch sailed well behind Banks. The next pitch was high and tight on Banks, buzzing under his chin. Banks immediately turned and glared at the Florence pitcher and made a step toward the mound before being stopped by home-plate umpire Chuck Adya. Both teams received a warning from the umpires.
Extra bases
Washington manager Mark Mason was not available for comment. ... Rochelle had x-rays taken Tuesday on his injured left thumb. ... Peterson, who had been the Wild Things' closer but took two losses in the last four games, pitched the eighth and ninth innings. ... The paid attendance was 2,058 but there was considerably fewer in the ballpark.
