Jul 26, 2014 2 min read

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners used a pair of three-run innings early in the game and cruised to a 9-6 victory over the Wild Things in a game Saturday night at Rent One Park.

At press time, the Wild Things held a 1½-game lead over second-place Evansville in the Frontier League’s East Division with Southern Illinois three games back. Evansville played at Gateway last night. The Wild Things play tonight at Evansville in the opener of a three-game series that concludes with a doubleheader Monday.

The Miners scored three runs in both the first and fourth innings against Washington starter Shawn Blackwell (7-3) en route to building an 8-2 lead after six innings. Blackwell lasted only 3 2/3 innings and gave up eight hits, four walks and seven runs.

Garrett Rau hit a two-run double in the fourth for Washington. In the seventh, Carter Bell drove in Scott Kalamar with a single and Sam Montgomery drew a bases-loaded walk to pull the Wild Things to within 8-4.

After the Miners scored an insurance run in the eighth, Washington used a two-out single by Jose Dore, Ryan Kresky’s second triple in as many nights and Montgomery’s double to pull to within 9-6.

Rick Teasley (7-1) was the winning pitcher.