Slumping Wild Things lose, 2-1
AVON, Ohio — Gunner Kines pitched a six shutout innings as the Lake Erie Crushers defeated the Wild Things 2-1 Friday night at Mercy Health Stadium.
The Wild Things were the first Frontier League team to clinch a playoff berth but they seem to be limping toward the finish line. Washington has lost five of its last seven games and its lead in the West Division dwindled to 6 1/2 games over both Schaumburg and Evansville.
With a 10-inning win over Sussex County, Quebec moved ahead of Washington for most wins in the league with 57 compared to the Wild Things’ 56. The Capitales are 1 1/2 games ahead of the Wild Things.
Lake Erie, which is still in the hunt for a wild-card playoff berth, scored single runs — both coming on sacrifice flies — in the fourth and seventh innings against Sandro Cabrera (7-4). Cabrera gave up five hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out six.
Washington, which played again without injured Nick Ward and Anthony Brocato, generated little in the way of offense against Kines (4-6), who gave up four hits, did not walk a batter and struck out nine.
The Wild Things’ lone run came in the eighth when Wagner Lagrange singled to score Scotty Dubrule. Washington left the potential tying run at second base in the inning. Lagrange had two of the Wild Things’ seven hits.