Boomers squander early lead

The Schaumburg Boomers raced out to a 4-run lead in the first inning but faltered down the stretch to lose 6-4 to the Washington Wild Things.

The first game of a nine game home stand started off well for the Boomers as Chris Robinson hit a 2-run triple in the bottom of the first inning for a 2-0 lead. Two batters later, Shawn Payne broke an 0 for 9 streak with a 2-run blast to right to left field to double the Boomers' lead.

Boomers starter Gunnar Kines looked strong early on, recording a season high 6 strikeouts but ran into trouble in the fifth inning, allowing 4 runs on 3 hits to draw the Wild Things even. Reliever Kagen Hopkins gave up a solo home run to Washington's Ricky Rodriguez in the top of the sixth inning that proved to be the deciding run. The Wild Things added an insurance run in the top of the seventh for a 6-4 final.

The two teams return to action Saturday night at 6 p.m. with right hander Brett Mabry making his third start of the season for the Boomers.