Slammers Struggle Again In Loss To Washington

Justin Hall (8-6) went eight strong innings as the Washington Wild Things (35-44) defeated the Joliet Slammers (48-32) by a final score of 5-2 Wednesday night.

Ryne Miller (1-6) was his own worst enemy as he walked Chris Sidick to start the game bottom of the first. Doug Thennis followed with a single that moved Sidick to third. A RBI fielder’s choice from Luis Rivera put Washington up 1-0.

Miller ran into more trouble in the third. With one away Thennis singled and with two down Scott Lawson drew a walk. That’s when Tim Battle delivered a two-RBI triple as Washington extended their lead to 3-0.

Joliet did rally in the fourth inning as Kyle Maunus smacked a one-out double. Reid Chenworth drove him in with a double of his own to cut the deficit to 3-1. Then with two down; Trey Manz tripled in Chenworth as the Slammers pulled to within one.

That was as close as they would get. Washington wasted little time chasing Miller from the game in the fifth inning. Thennis homered to start the frame and with one away Lawson doubled. Miller got the next batter out but walked Jonathan Cisneros to bring Kevyn Feiner to the plate. Feiner delivered a RBI single to put the Wild Things up 5-1.

That was it for Miller as Jeremy Tietze entered the game. Tietze pitched really well the rest of the way as he went three and a third scoreless innings.

It was the Justin Hall show though as the righty scattered five hits over eight innings, giving up two runs, both earned, walking three and striking out six. The Slammers left nine men on base in the defeat.

Joliet looks to split the series Thursday night as Andrew Moss (5-4, 4.10 ERA) takes the mound. First pitch is at 5:35 p.m. Central Time and all the coverage starts at 5:20 on AM 1340 WJOL and www.wjol.com.