Three Florence pitchers combined to walk ten batters and give up ten hits Friday night on the way to a 12-8 loss to Washington at Consol Energy Park in the opener of a six-game Frontier League road trip for the Freedom.

The host Wild Things (3-6) won their second straight game by tallying runs in seven of the eight innings in which they batted. Despite the consistent flurry of runs put up by Washington, Florence (5-4) still managed to grab the lead by scoring five runs in the top of the fifth inning.

With the Freedom trailing 6-3 heading into the fifth, switch-hitting shortstop Johnny Washington led off against Wild Things starter J.J. Hollenbeck with his first home run of the season. Florence then proceeded to load the bases with two outs on the strength of singles by third baseman Tim Grogan and right fielder Angel Molina, and a walk to center fielder Garth McKinney. Hollenbeck then threw his final pitch of the night to Freedom first baseman John Welch, who promptly sent the ball sailing over the left field wall for his third home run and the team’s first grand slam of the 2008 season. Welch’s long blast left the Freedom on top 8-6, but the lead wouldn’t last as the visitors’ offense didn’t convert another run the rest of the night.

The Wild Things turned a pair of walks by reliever Ryan Stadanlick into a run in the fifth and broke through for four more runs in the sixth off left-hander Stephen Shao (0-1). Washington collected five hits in the inning and Shao issued a pair of walks as the Wild Things batted around to go back in front 11-8.

Hollenbeck departed the game after giving up all eight Florence runs in 4 2/3 innings. Washington relievers Corey Bachman (1-0), Dan Horvath and Matt Maradeo then combined to blank the Freedom on only one hit over the final 4 1/3 innings to sew up the win in the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

Molina and McKinney accounted for two hits each to pace the Freedom’s eight-hit attack. Catcher Eddie Gonzalez added a pair of RBIs with a double and a sacrifice fly. Three Washington hitters – third baseman Phil Butch, left fielder Jacob Dempsey and designated hitter Robbie Knapp – collected two hits apiece for the Wild Things. Knapp and second baseman Chris Carrara each scored three times. Carrara, who entered the game with a .240 batting average, went hitless but managed to reach base three times on walks. Florence left-hander Demetrius Banks failed for the third consecutive start to last five innings. Banks worked the first four innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on four hits with five walks and five strikeouts. The Austell, Ga. native also hit a batter, threw two wild pitches and committed a balk.

The Freedom and Wild Things resume their series at 7:05 p.m. EDT Saturday at Consol Energy Park. Florence will send right-hander Nick Dunning (1-0) to the mound in his first start of the season after two relief appearances. Washington will counter with left-hander Alan Stidfole (0-2).