Wild Things unable to turn hits into sweep at New Jersey
PATERSON, N.J. — The New Jersey Jackals made the most of only three hits and defeated the Wild Things 3-2 in a series final Sunday afternoon at Hinchliffe Stadium.
Washington outhit New Jersey 7-3. It was the first time all season that the Wild Things lost a game when getting more hits than the opponent.
The Wild Things, who lead the Frontier League’s Central Division, won two of the three games in the series. Second-place Evansville split a doubleheader at Windy City and trimmed Washington’s lead to 6.5 games.
New Jersey, which is in first place in the East Division, took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a two-run homer by Martin Figueroa off Washington starter Ben Kowalski (0-1). The Jackals lead went to 3-0 in the fifth when Erik Almonte’s groundout scored a run.
Kowalski allowed three hits and three runs over six innings.
Washington scored its first run in the sixth when Kyle Edwards and Anthony Brocato each smacked a double off New Jersey starter Sonny Fauci (7-3).
Fauci went seven innings, allowing five hits and one run. He walked three and struck out nine.
The Wild Things had a chance to tie the score, and even take the lead, against the New Jersey bullpen in the top of the ninth. Washington loaded the bases with no outs. The Jackals’ Rayne Supple walked both Jeff Liquori and Wagner Lagrange, the latter after a 13-pitch plate appearance.
Chase Hungate was then brought in to pitch and he gave up a single to right field by Ryan Ford that loaded the bases.
Connor Peek grounded out to third but Liquori scored on the play to cut the Jackals’ lead to 3-2.
Billy Sullivan pitch-hit for catcher Isaias Quiroz and flied out to shallow right centerfield with the baserunners holding at second and third. Caleb Ketchup then popped out to third base, ending the game.
Washington won Saturday night, 8-3, as Liquori and Peek hit home runs, and Michael O’Hanlon and Colt Anderson combined for four shutout innings of relief.
Washington broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning when Peek hit a double that drove in Liquori. Edwards and Sullivan added RBI singles in the seventh.
Liquori hit his 11th home run of the season, a two-run shot in the eighth inning.
O’Hanlon (3-0) pitched 2⅓ innings in relief of Brodsky and allowed only one hit. Anderson pitched the final 1⅔ innings. O’Hanlon and Anderson combined for seven strikeouts and allowed just one hit.
Washington opened the scoring in the second inning and a double steal. Liquori stole second base on the play and Andrew Czech stole home when the throw from the catcher went to second base. The second run scored on an RBI single by Peek.
Washington will begin an important six-game homestand Tuesday (7:05 p.m.) against the Down East Bird Dogs. The homestand concludes with three games against Evansville.