The Evansville Otters found themselves in another low-scoring, tight contest against the Joliet Slammers Wednesday night, but timely hits from the Slammers put the Otters on the losing end in the middle game of the series.
After a scoreless pitcher’s duel through the first three innings, the Otters tallied the first run of the game in the fourth inning on an RBI double by Carlos Castro.
The Slammers scored the equalizer in the bottom of the fifth, but the Otters jumped back ahead in the top of the sixth with a sac fly from Mitchell Hansen that scored Ryan Long, his second run of the night.
Down 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the Slammers would rally back in front for good, sending six men to the plate and scoring two runs in the process to take a 3-2 lead.
London Lindley led off with a walk. After a strikeout from Chaz Meadows, Tyler Coolbaugh singled to score Lindley, tying the game at two.
Riley Krane hit into a fielder’s choice, and Brian Parreira hit the go-ahead RBI double to give the Slammers their first lead of the game, and the series.
That would end the night for Evansville starter Tyler Vail. He pitched well enough for the win, but was given the loss. Making his first start since the end of July last season, the veteran right-hander threw 5.2 innings, surrendering three runs on five hits while tossing seven strikeouts.
After a scoreless seventh, the Slammers sent six men to the plate in the bottom of the eighth, scoring an insurance run as Coolbaugh came through once again, smacking an RBI single to score Meadows, and doubling the Slammers lead 4-2.
Keegan Long earned the win for Joliet, going six innings and allowing two runs. Ryan Koziol picked up a three-inning save.
The rubber match will be tomorrow with Tyler Beardsley on the mound, who is 2-1 with a 3.17 ERA. The Slammers will send Daren Osby to the mound, who has an ERA of 2.07 and a 0-1 record.
First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. and can be heard from Route 66 Stadium in Joliet, Ill. on the radio at 91.5 FM WUEV or at evansvilleotters.com with Dave Nguyen on the call.
