Jun 21, 2015 5 min read

The Wild Things shrugged it off early this month after being stymied by Rockford, which leads the Frontier League in many pitching categories. They shrugged it off last week when they were shut down by Southern Illinois pitchers Matt Bywater and Adam Lopez, who have combined for a 10-0 record.

Nobody, however, was shrugging Sunday evening after the Wild Things’ offense took the series off against the Frontier Greys, the league’s homeless traveling team.

The Greys completed a three-game series sweep by winning both ends of a doubleheader, 6-0 and 2-1, at Consol Energy Park.

The Wild Things managed only nine hits in the doubleheader and their lone run came on a solo homer by right fielder Scott Kalamar in the sixth inning of the second game.

Washington scored only two runs in the series and Kalamar’s home run down the right-field line ended a string of 17 consecutive innings without a run against the Greys, who entered the series 12th in the 14-team league in team ERA.

A day that began optimistically with batting practice at 10 a.m. ended as designated Circle the Wagons Night for Washington. The Wild Things have lost five in a row and fell to a season-high nine games (12-21) under .500. They had a team meeting after the doubleheader to discuss how to stop the slide and awaken a dormant offense that is next-to-last in the league in both batting average and runs.

“You don’t win many games when you score one run in a doubleheader,” Washington manager Bob Bozzuto said.

The Wild Things struck out 16 times on the day and Bozzuto said some of his hitters are pressing while at the plate.

“That’s a safe assumption,” Bozzuto said. “That’s what is happening in some cases and the reason why we’re not having a good deal of success at the plate. It’s not like we’re not trying. Unfortunately, we’re not getting the results we need. The average dips and continues to dip.”

The Wild Things managed five hits in the opener, but two of those came in the seventh inning after falling behind 6-0. Bobby Shore (3-3), a former University of Oklahoma pitcher who is in his fifth season of pro ball, combined with rookie reliever Andrew Wellwerts on the shutout.

Pitcher Kyle Vazquez (0-1), who was re-signed Saturday, started the opener for Washington and walked two of the first three batters he faced. Both runners came around to score in the Greys’ three-run first inning.

Colin Feldtman (2-1) and reliever Nate McBride continued the Greys’ stellar pitching in the second game, combining on a four-hitter with only one walk. The sweep improved the Greys’ record to 15-16, which is 2½ games better than Washington.

“We had a rough start to the season and lost three players to affiliated ball. But that got our guys fired up because it made them realize they can get out of this league,” Greys manager Vinny Ganz said. “They know I was telling them the truth, that you can get picked with this team.”

Washington starter Tim Flight (2-3) didn’t allow a hit in the nightcap until Joe Sermo doubled with one out in the fifth. In the sixth, the Greys scored their only runs. Ben Lodge led off with a single and Brandon Tierney was hit by a pitch that the Wild Things argued was in the strike zone.

A groundout advanced the runners but Lodge was thrown out trying to score on a grounder to third baseman Carter Bell. Scott Carcaise followed with a two-run double to right centerfield off reliever Matt Purnell.

“Timmy deserved to win that game,” Bozzuto said. “Our pitching has, for the most part, been good.”

With the rare exception, such as the 13-4 win Tuesday over Southern Illinois, scoring runs has been the troubling issue for the Wild Things. In the opener, second baseman Matt Ford was thrown out at home plate by Lodge, the Greys’ center fielder, while trying to score from second base on a single by Kalamar. In the second game, Washington twice stranded a runner at third base.

Despite the scoring struggles, infielder Austin Wobrock remains confident the Wild Things can turn around a season quickly gone awry.

“Honestly, I can’t put my finger on what the problem is, but we have a lot of good guys who are just not hitting right now,” he said. “I really believe we have one of the better teams but we’re not hitting on all cylinders. We’re going to turn it around on the upcoming road trip. A couple of wins in a row can turn it around.”

Ford, who missed the previous 20 games with a hamstring injury, started the opener and went 1-for-3. … Washington is off until Wednesday when it begins a six-game road trip with a doubleheader at Florence. … The Wild Things’ next home game is June 30 against Lake Erie. It will be Pete Rose Night as the major leagues’ all-time hits leader will be available to sign autographs. … The Wild Things have re-acquired relief pitcher Jonathan Kountis from the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association in exchange for a player to be named. Kountis set the Frontier League record with 32 saves last year. He will join the team Wednesday.