wcthunderbolts.com

JOLIET, IL – The Joliet Slammers scored three runs in the fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie and cruised to an 8-4 final, dealing the ThunderBolts a loss in game one of a three game series at Slammers Stadium Friday night.

The ThunderBolts (20-18) got off to a great start as Kyle Wood hit a solo home run in the top of the first inning to move the Bolts ahead.

Joliet (16-20) took their first lead in the third as they scored two runs on four singles. Edwin Gomez picked up an RBI on his hit and Danny Zardon hit a sacrifice fly.

Wood answered right back with his second solo home run of the game on the first pitch of the fourth inning, tying the score at two.

The Slammers took the lead for good in the fifth as they used four more singles to plate three runs. The big blow came from Juan Silva. His two-run hit broke the tie. He stole second and scored on a Melvin Rodriguez base hit. Chaz Meadows added one to the lead with an RBI single the following inning.

David Kerian doubled for the Bolts in the seventh inning. He scored when Will Krug reached on an error but the ThunderBolts would not get any closer as Travis Bolin put the game away in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run home run.

The final ThunderBotls run came on a Coco Johnson RBI single in the ninth.

Shane Bryant (3-3) allowed three runs (two earned) in 6.2 innings for the win while Drake Robison (0-1) took the loss in his pro debut. He gave up four runs in 4.1 innings.

The ThunderBolts and Slammers continue their series on Saturday night. TJ Santiago will make his first professional start for the ThunderBolts against Joliet’s Skylar Janisse (2-0, 4.05). First pitch from Slammers Stadium is scheduled for 6:05 and the game will be broadcast through wcthunderbolts.com.

Box Score