Wild Things lose close one at Mississippi
PEARL, Miss – A.J. Fritz’s single scored Kyle Booker with the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning and the Mississippi Mud Monsters held on for a 5-4 win over the Wild Things on Thursday night at Trustman Park.
The loss, combined with Evansville’s doubleheader sweep of Gateway, trimmed Washington’s lead in the Frontier League’s Central Division to six games over the Otters. Quebec, a 17-2 winner over Brockton, moved a half game ahead of the Wild Things for the best overall record in the league.
The Wild Things self-destructed in their loss. Washington committed three errors, issued six walks and failed to convert on two late scoring opportunities.
In the top of the seventh, with the score tied 4-4, Washington had runners on second and third with one out. Antonio Monroy hit a grounder to second base against a drawn-in infield. The ball was dropped, picked up and thrown to home plate. Ryan Ford was then caught in a rundown on the third-base line. He dove safely back into third base, where Billy Sullivan had advanced to from second base. Sullivan was tagged out for the inning’s second out, and Ford, after taking his left hand off the base with the ball still in play, was tagged out to end the threat.
In the eighth, Washington had Andrew Czech at third base and Anthony Brocato on first with no outs. A strikeout and double play ended the inning.
Mississippi reliever Connor Langrell (1-2) was the winning pitcher with three shutout innings. Michael O’Hanlon (3-1) took the loss.
Washington starter Kenton Egbert gave up four hits, four walks and four runs in five innings.
Caleb Ketchup hit his 12th home run during Washington’s three-run second inning.
The Wild Things placed right fielder Jeff Liquori on the 14-day injured list on Wednesday.