Missed chances haunt Wild Things

WASHINGTON - The Washington Wild Things lost for only the second time at home this season Tuesday, and made some history along the way.

Playing their longest game in franchise history, Washington (18-9) blew countless opportunities for victory and lost to Evansville, 3-2, in a 17 inning marathon. The contest lasted four hours and 26 minutes.

"It was just one of the craziest games I've ever seen," Washington Manager Jeff Isom said. "There's really no one for me to blame. It was an extremely well played game, and we happened to lose it."

Jason Kane's 17th inning error (Washington's only blunder) allowed Carlos Brackley to reach first base. He came around to score on O.J. Garza's two-out single to left off reliever Jason Elkins.

Garza was previously 0-for-7 before lining the 2-1 fastball into left.

Washington appeared poised to push its home-winning streak to ten games in the 16th inning. Joe Cuervo led off with a single, and then advanced to third before pitcher James Eppeneder's pick-off attempt sailed into right field.

With Cuervo at third and no outs, Evansville decided to intentionally walk Josh Loggins. Eppeneder's first intentional ball glanced off catcher Gary Lee's glove and toward Washington's dugout.

Cuervo busted home, but Lee, who was released two weeks ago by Washington, quickly retrieved the ball and fired a strike to Eppeneder at home plate.

Cuervo was out by a wide margin, and Washington would never threaten again.

"It was tough for Joe and I to see how far the ball went," said Isom, who also is Washington's third base coach. "That was a tough decision for Joe, and I'm not mad about it."

Washington starting pitcher Nick Aiello and Otters' starter Tod Ewasko were both outstanding, pitching into the ninth inning and allowing two runs each.

The Wild Things took an early lead when Loggins' lifted a 3-0 fastball just over the left field fence. The solo shot was his ninth of the season.

Washington nearly took a 2-0 lead in the third, but Evansville left fielder Terrence McClain threw out Jake Bollig when he tried to score on Jon Cahill's fly ball.

Evansville took a 2-1 lead in the fourth when Juan Downing and David Trujillo hit solo home runs off Aiello.

The Wild Things, who scored 23 runs two days earlier at Cook County, struggled against Ewasko for much of the game, but managed to tie the score in the eighth on Jay Coakley's home run to center.

Both bullpens went on to pitch brilliantly deep into the night. Evansville relievers pitched 8 1/3 innings of scoreless ball and Washington's bullpen allowed just the one run in 8 2/3 innings of work.

"Both teams had outstanding pitching tonight," Isom said. "I give both bullpens a lot of credit. It was a very good game between two good teams."

Bake Leonards had pitched three scoreless innings before being charged with the unearned run in the 17th.

Despite the hard-luck loss that also puts Evansville (18-9) in a first-place tie with Washington in the Frontier League's West Division,, Isom certain his team will bounce back.

"We come to work every day," he said. "We'll put this one behind us and try to start a new winning streak."

NOTES- A sellout crowd of 3,609 viewed the game ... The game's first nine innings lasted one hour and 58 minutes, which would have represented the second fastest game in Wild Thing's history ... Washington loaded the bases in the 11th, and left runners in scoring position in the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 17th innings ... Matt McDonnell (2-1, 2.70 ERA) will start for Washington this evening against Evansville ... Tonight's game is being televised by Fox Sports Pittsburgh at 7:05 p.m.