Traverse City, MI – The Washington Wild Things (32-19), presented by Washington Federal Savings Bank, lost another close game to the Traverse City Beach Bums (21-31) by a score of 2-1 in the ninth inning, the second time the Wild Things lost in the ninth inning in as many nights.

Matt Sutton led the way at the plate for the Wild Things, going 2-for-4 with a double. Nathan Messner went 1-for-4 with an RBI. Washington’s starting pitcher Tom Cochran (6-2) took the loss but pitched a strong 8 and 2/3 innings with six strikeouts. Traverse City LHP Ryan Gehring (4-5) earned the win, pitching nine innings with six strikeouts.

While it looked as if the Beach Bums could get the first lead of the game, the Wild Things’ defense kept them off the scoreboard. Jeff Brown led off the third inning for Traverse City with a double and seemed ready to head home as he was moved to third base on a sacrifice. However, a nice stab by shortstop Kyle Padgett on a Justin Holmes liner and a popup after that kept the game tied 0-0.

After five innings of scoreless baseball, the Wild Things got on the board in the sixth inning – all with two outs. With two men down in the frame, Jarod Rine laced a single up the middle then advanced to second on a wild pitch from Gehring. The next batter, Nathan Messner, made Gehring pay for his lone mistake with an RBI single to put the Wild Things ahead 1-0.

Washington’s lead would not last long as Traverse City evened the score in its half of the sixth. Cochran started the inning by walking leadoff batter Matt Rademacher but appeared to be out of trouble with two outs. Curtis Ledbetter kept the Beach Bums in the game, though, with an RBI double that brought Rademacher in from second base to knot the score at one apiece.

In the seventh, the Wild Things had a chance to regain the lead, but Gehring worked out of trouble. Matt Sutton started the inning with a hard double off the wall, and he hustled to third base on a sacrifice fly from Mario Garza. Gehring was able to get two strikeouts to end the inning, however, with Sutton stranded on third.

Just like the previous night, the game was tied going into the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Ledbetter got on base with a double. After Cochran retired the next batter, Brad Roblin got the game winning single to bring in pinch runner R.C. Dickerson for the 2-1 win.

The Wild Things will return home to CONSOL Energy Park Thursday, July 19 to face the Chillicothe Paints, and the game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh. For tickets call the Wild Things’ box office at 724-250-9555.

-- Brian Dalek