ThunderBolts drop series finale to Grizzlies
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CRESTWOOD, Ill. – The Windy City ThunderBolts struck out 16 times Sunday afternoon, falling 9-4 in the series finale to the Gateway Grizzlies at Ozinga Field.
Windy City (47-43) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. After Michael Sandle doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch, he and Justin Fogel executed a double steal to perfection to give the Bolts an early 1-0 lead.
Gateway (40-50) struck back in the third, scoring three runs on three singles and three free passes to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the game.
The Grizzlies added to their lead an inning later in the fourth, plating four runs on three more hits and three more free passes to open up a 7-1 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Bolts cut into the deficit. After Fogel walked to begin the inning, Carlos Peña belted his 16th home run of the season, a two-run shot to right, to pull Windy City within four.
Gateway added insurance runs in the top of the seventh and the top of the eighth to take a 9-3 lead into the ninth. After the first four reached in the bottom of the ninth for the Bolts, including a Jared Beebe walk that forced in a run, the ThunderBolts stranded the bases loaded to bring the game to a close.
Gateway starter Ty Good (8-2) picked up the win, allowing three runs in six innings. Windy City starter Ramon Rodriguez (2-4) was hit with the loss, allowing six runs in 3.1 innings of work.
The ThunderBolts return to action Tuesday for the first of six consecutive games on the road against the Mississippi Mud Monsters. Tyler Wehrle (5-3, 3.23) gets the start to open the series for the Bolts. Jackson Smith (4-3, 5.13) will counter for the Mud Monsters. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 CDT and broadcast information is available at wcthunderbolts.com.
