Washington, Pa – The Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Federal Savings Bank, took a hard fall and their first shutout loss to the Southern Illinois Miners 5-0 Friday night in Marion, Illinois.

The Wild Things bats were uncommonly silent in the first five innings collecting only one hit, which was a Robbie Knapp single in the second inning. A couple of two out singles by Knapp and Messner gave the Wild Things a pulse in the top of the sixth inning.

Rene Quintana hit a leadoff single in the seventh inning, which gave the Wild Things their fourth hit of the evening. Chris Sidick added a single of his own with two outs and a man on base. Rine led off the top of the eighth inning with a double. A wild pitch and a walk gave the Wild Things base runners at the corners of the diamond with two outs, but with an all too common theme for the night, again the Wild Things left men on base without scoring any runs.

Robbie Knapp led all Wild Things hitters having two singles in three batting attempts and also stealing a base. Jarod Rine and Eric Earnhart each added a stolen base of their own.

Right-handed pitcher Michael Hauff (1-0) got the start for the Wild Things (14-7). His outing was cut short by an injury in the third inning. Jeff Michael (0-1) was called in to pitch from the bullpen. Michael could not record an out before being pulled by manager John Massarelli. Newly acquired lefthander Ryan Davis (0-0) was called to replace Jeff Michael in the third inning.

Davis loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning, but managed to escape allowing no runs to leave the score 5-0. Lefthander Justin Mattison (1-0) would then come on to pitch in the fifth inning for the Wild Things, and quickly retired the side in order with two ground balls and a strikeout. Mattison went three innings giving up two hits, no runs and striking out two. Travis Risser came in to finish the game in the eighth inning retiring the Miners’ batters in order.

The Wild Things will take on the Evansville Otters tomorrow night at 8:05 Eastern time. Their next home stand starts on June 19th against the Miners. For tickets, call the box office at 724-250-9555.