Home runs carry Miners over Wild Things
Washington’s Austin Wolbrock mimics reeling in a fish after his double drove in two runs during the second inning of Friday night’s game against Southern Illinois at Consol Energy Park. The Miners defeated the Wild Things, 4-2, in a meeting of first-place teams in the Frontier League to open the second half of the season.
Washington’s Chris Grayson singles in the bottom of the sixth inning against Southern Illinois Friday at Consol Energy Park.
Washington pitcher Luke Wilkins talks with catcher Kyle Pollock after a Miners’ home run in the fourth inning Friday at Consol Energy Park.
What a way to start the second half of the season.
The Washington Wild Things, tied for first place in the East Division, and Southern Illinois, holding the best record in the Frontier League, clashed in the first game back since the all-star break, appropriately enough on Fireworks Night.
Steve Marino and Craig Massey provided some early explosions, each hitting home runs as the Miners rallied for a 4-2 victory over the Wild Things in front of 1,979 fans Friday night at Consol Energy Park.
Marino cracked a two-run shot that just cleared the left-field fence in the fourth inning to give Southern Illinois a 3-2 lead and Massey smashed a solo home run on an 0-2 count that easily cleared the left-field fence in the fifth inning. It was Marino’s 11th home run of the season and the fifth for Massey, who snapped a month-long dry spell.
“I got under it a little bit but I got it on the barrel,” said Marino. “I had a feeling it would get out and it just got out, so I was happy about that. That was huge because we were trailing and that home run really got us going. Once we got the lead, our starting pitcher fell into a groove, so that was a big swing for us.”
Dyllon Nuernberg went six innings, allowing two runs and struck out six to get the win and raise his record to 4-1.
Marino is tied for second in the Frontier League’s home run race and he entered the game tied for the league lead in RBI with Carter Bell of the Joliet Slammers at 44. Both home runs came off Wild Things starting pitcher Luke Wilkins (2-2).
“This game was kind of circled after the all-star break,” Marino said. “It was nice to get the first one. We want to win the series, but they’re a good team.”
The Wild Things, who won their last three series heading into the break, took a 2-0 lead on Nuernberg in the bottom of the second inning. Normally a control pitcher, Nuernberg walked DH Logan Uxa and catcher Kyle Pollock, then gave up a two-run double to No. 9 hitter Austin Wobrock.
Southern Illinois, which entered the game with a 34-17 record, cut the lead in half in the third inning. Wilkins sat the first seven down in order, then lost his control. He threw nine consecutive balls, putting Edison Sanchez and Francisco Rosario on base. One out later, Nolan Early singled in Sanchez.
“I thought the momentum of the game switched well before the home runs … when Luke lost control of the strike zone,” said Washington manager Gregg Langbehn. “Walking guys changed the tempo and rhythm of the game. We had two double-play balls we should have turned, and we didn’t. I think that was the result of not throwing strikes. We got back on our heels a little bit. We don’t turn the doubleplay, then give up a home run. Then we give up another home run on an 0-2 pitch. You just can’t do that.”
The Wild Things (27-23), one of only two teams in the East Division with an above-.500 record, had a chance too take the game back when they loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning but Miners reliever Chris DeBoo got Jimmy Yezzo to ground out to shortstop.
“You have to come up with a two-out hit. It’s different if it’s bases loaded and nobody out,” Langbehn said. “That’s asking a lot of a hitter to come through in that situation.”
Jamodrick McGruder lost his bat on swings in three straight plate appearances. The third time, the bat hit home plate umpire Mark Schmidt. … Uxa, fresh from being named the latest Frontier League Player of the Week, was recognized for the honor before the first pitch. … Miners right fielder Nolan Early was ejected in the eighth inning after arguing a call after grounding out to third on a close play.