ThunderBolts Fall Short in Series Opener Against Crushers
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CRESTWOOD, Ill. – The Windy City ThunderBolts’ comeback effort fell short Tuesday night, as the Bolts were defeated 5-2 by the Lake Erie Crushers at Ozinga Field.
In the top of the first inning, Lake Erie (40-56) needed just three pitches to get the scoring started. A Jeron Williams solo shot on the third pitch of the game was followed by a Pavin Parks solo blast a batter later, as the Crushers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.
Lake Erie added to its lead with one run on a Nathan Archer base hit in the top of the second before Windy City (52-45) got on the scoreboard in the home half of the fourth on Carlos Peña’s 19th home run of the season to cut the Crushers’ lead to 3-1.
In the bottom of the sixth, a Victor Cerny RBI single briefly made it a one-run game before Lake Erie scored two runs on two hits and an error in the top of the seventh to take a 5-2 lead that would hold throughout the remainder of the contest.
Alex Garbrick (1-6) got the win for the Crushers, allowing two runs on six hits in 5.2 innings of work. Windy City starter Isaac Millburn (5-4) was hit with the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits in five complete innings. Lake Erie closer Brandyn Sittinger picked up his 15th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.
The ThunderBolts return to action Wednesday for the second of three this week against the Crushers. Dante Maietta (1-4, 5.60) gets the start for the Bolts. He’ll be opposed by Chase Hopewell (2-4, 7.43 ERA) for the Crushers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CDT and broadcast information is available at wcthunderbolts.com.
