WJPA Sports

WASHINGTON, PA–The Washington Wild Things fell to the Lake Erie Crushers by a score of 5-0 in Friday’s series opener. The Wild Things had strong pitching from Jordan DiValerio, but the Crushers struck early in the third and later in the ninth to help seal the win. The Washington Wild Things dropped the first game of a three-game series against the Lake Erie Crushers in front of a packed house during Fireworks Friday presented by PA Lottery at EQT Park. The night saw the first sellout crowd of the season at the ballpark, announced at 3,286. Pitching looked strong early for Wild Things starter Jordan DiValerio, who had four strikeouts through two innings. In the third, Davie Morgan reached first from a hit by pitch to start the inning and was later driven in by Zach Campbell, who doubled. Campbell would score too after a throwing error to first. It made it 2-0 Lake Erie. The scoring halted until the seventh inning when Burle Dixon singled, stole second, and was driven in by Zach Campbell for the Crushers. This run marked the end of DiValerio’s quality start. His line on the night would be 6.2 innings pitched, four hits, three runs (two earned) and eight strikeouts. The Crushers added insurance runs in the ninth when Derek Vegas doubled and Sam Franco cleared the bases with a two-run home run. The Crushers would lead by a 5-0 score at that point and went on to seal it at that score. Washington falls to 30-25 on the season, while Lake Erie improves to 27-25. The Wild Things will remain at home and play game two of their three-game series with the Lake Erie Crushers tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 during Jimmy Buffett Night.

MINNEAPOLIS — Trevor Larnach hit a two-run homer, Joe Ryan outpitched Paul Skenes. and the Minnesota Twins beat Pittsburgh 2-1 on Friday night to hand the Pirates their seventh straight loss.

Ryan (9-4) allowed one run and five hits with two walks and five strikeouts in five innings. He threw 54 of his 86 pitches for strikes and has surrendered two runs or fewer in 14 of 18 starts this season. The Twins used five relievers to close it out with Jhoan Duran pitching the ninth for his 15th save in 17 opportunities.

Skenes (4-8) allowed two runs and five hits with six strikeouts in five innings. He fanned Matt Wallner looking to end the fourth for his 300th career strikeout. He struck out the side in order in the first on 12 pitches. Skenes threw 53 of 78 pitches for strikes and is winless in his last eight starts dating to May 28 despite allowing two runs or fewer in 17 of 20 outings.

Both pitchers had their starts moved up so they would be available to pitch in Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Atlanta.

Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth when Spencer Horwitz singled and scored on a two-out double by Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Byron Buxton beat out a grounder to third leading off the bottom of the inning after Skenes was perfect through three. Larnach hit his 13th homer one out later to put the Twins up 2-1.

Hortwitz singled with one out in the ninth and pinch runner Jac Suwinski stole his fifth base to get in scoring position. Duran struck out both Adam Frazier and Kiner-Falefa swinging to end it.