Miners walk past Wild Things
MARION, Ill. – The Wild Things had a chance Friday night to move into sole possession of first place in the Frontier League’s East Division.
Instead, the Southern Illinois Miners walked all over Washington.
Jarett Miller and three relievers combined on a six-hit shutout and Southern Illinois took advantage of a season-high 11 walks by Washington pitchers in an 8-0 victory for the Miners before, 4,933 at Rent One Park.
Washington remains a half-game behind Joliet in the East standings.
The game was delayed for 12 minutes in the fifth inning because of a power failure that knocked out the field lights.
Southern Illinois, the West Division leader that swept the Wild Things at Consol Energy Park last weekend, forged a 1-0 lead before making an out. Aaron Gates and Shane Kennedy doubled to start the bottom of the first against Washington starting pitcher Chase Cunningham (3-6). A sacrifice fly scored Kennedy to make it 2-0.
The Miners made it 5-0 in the fifth, 6-0 in the sixth and scored its final runs in the eighth.
Miller (5-2) went 6 2/3 innings, allowing four hits but he walked five. All six Washington hits were singles. The Wild Things were shut out for the second time in three games.