Offense still not clicking, as Crushers fall 7-1 to Washington

AVON — Lake Erie's bats are still shaking off the rust from a lost season. The Crushers entered Monday hitting .176, and while they broke loose for six hits against Washington's bullpen, it wasn't enough in a 7-1 loss Monday afternoon at Mercy Health Stadium. Lake Erie (1-3) will try to turn things around offensively today as it starts a six-game road trip with Tyler Cronin on the mound against Evansville. "It's normal early in the year for me, guys are just behind pitches," Lake Erie manager Dan Rohn said. "Once we see some more pitches, we'll be OK. I was pleased with the way the last four innings went as opposed to the first five, that was an improvement." Washington (2-3) got to Crushers starter Paul Hall early, tagging him for four runs off six hits in the first two innings. The first three batters reached safely, with Bralin Jackson's hit giving the Wild Things a 1-0 lead. Shortstop Trevor Achenbach couldn't handle a grounder that would have at least produced one out — likely two. Instead, John Sansone came up with the bases loaded and delivered a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead. The Wild Things did all their damage in the second with two outs as three straight hits extended the lead to 4-0 before Hall got out of the jam with a strikeout. "I thought Paul battled his butt for the most part," Rohn said. "We could have easily been out of the first inning if we made the play there (on a double-play ball). Then it's a whole different outlook and he doesn't have to pitch defensively. I'd like to see him get ahead of more hitters to start counts, there were a lot of 2-0 counts tonight, but for the most part I thought he battled all right." Wild Things starter Ryan Hennen was locked in, facing just 16 batters in five innings with eight strikeouts. The lone blemish on his afternoon was the Crushers' only run — a home run by catcher Bryan De La Rosa. The Crushers were able to tag Washington reliever Michael Austin for six hits, also drawing a walk, but couldn't break through on the scoreboard. Lake Erie had opportunities to get back into the game. Trevor Achenbach came to bat in the sixth with two outs and runners on first and second, but grounded into a fielder's choice. In the seventh, Steve Passatempo hit a double off the left-field wall with two outs. Connor Oliver tried to score from second base, but a strong relay throw from Sansone beat him to the plate. "I like the way we've been pretty aggressive with those pitches," De La Rosa said of the offense. "It's just a click or two in our mechanics and just being on time. Everything else will take care of itself, we're not too far behind." Contact Chris Sweeney at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeneyCT on Twitter.