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Miners no match for Wild Things

4 min read
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If the Wild Things’ game against the Southern Illinois proved anything Thursday, then it was that a cool rainy night in Washington combined with Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Playoffs semifinal series involving the Pittsburgh Penguins will keep the fans away from the ballpark.

The paid attendance listed in the box score indicated 811 spectators for the Wild Things-Miners game, though no more than half that number was in the park at any point.

Those who were at Wild Things Park saw a couple of rarities, including one that played a significant role in helping Washington complete a series sweep with a 7-3 victory.

First, there was an umpire double-switch as Mark Schmidt called balls and strikes for the first inning and Chuck Adya worked as the home-plate umpire for the final eight frames. That was the result of Schmidt being struck in the head by a foul tip for the second consecutive night.

The impact of that change paled in significance to the play Washington starting pitcher Chase Cunningham (2-0) triggered in the top of the fifth inning. When it ended, the Wild Things had turned a triple play and taken the steam out of the Miners.

“They thought they had a big inning going and it’s hard to recover from something like that,” Cunningham said.

With Washington leading 3-2, and Southern Illinois’ Nolan Earley at third base and Ryan Lashley on first with no outs, Justin Chigbogu hit a one-hopper back at Cunningham, who fielded the ball and took a look at third base to hold Earley.

“I looked at the guy on third and saw him freeze,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham then threw to shortstop Kyle Sonnier, who stepped on second base for the first out and fired to first base for the second out. Earley, meanwhile, broke for home plate and first baseman Kane Sweeney alertly threw to catcher Kyle Pollock, who put the tag on the sliding Earley to complete the triple play.

“(Earley) broke when Sonnier caught the ball at second base,” Cunningham explained. “I saw him go so I started yelling, ‘He’s going. He’s going.’ That’s the first triple play I’ve been a part of.”

The play was the turning point for the Wild Things, who extended their winning streak to four games.

Washington played double or nothing as five of their seven hits went for two bases. Bralin Jackson and Sweeney hit consecutive doubles in the fourth off Southern Illinois starter Jared Messer (0-1) and Kenny Peoples-Walls had an RBI single to give Washington a 3-2 lead.

Doubles by Mike Hill and Hector Roa around a walk to Sweeney in the sixth pushed the Wild Things’ lead to 5-2.

Cunningham, who was spectacular in his first two starts of the season, had his string of consecutive scoreless innings end at 18 1/3 when he gave up two runs in the fourth. Cunningham left after 6 1/3 innings and three runs (two earned) on seven hits.

“It was a tough night to pitch,” Cunningham said. “It’s good to know that on nights like this, when I don’t have my best stuff, I can count on the guys behind me. They made some amazing plays, running down balls in the outfield and turning a triple play.”

The triple play loomed large in the ninth inning, even after Washington scored two runs without the benefit of a hit – four walks and a hit batsman – in the eighth to take a 7-3 lead. Southern Illinois loaded the bases with one out but Washington brought in closer Zach Strecker, who got a strikeout and flyout to end the game and earn his third save, the second in as many nights.

The game was delayed for 10 minutes between the first and second innings for the umpires, Schmidt and Adya, to switch positions. Schmidt began the game as the home-plate umpire and took a foul tip off his facemask during the first inning. Schmidt had taken two such foul tips in the first game of Wednesday night’s doubleheader, one that dropped him to his knees.

After being looked at by the Wild Things’ trainer during the inning break Thursday, it was decided that Adya would become the plate umpire and Schmidt would work the bases.

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