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CRESTWOOD, IL – The Windy City ThunderBolts fought from behind but came up short in a 5-4 loss to the Gateway Grizzlies at Standard Bank Stadium Wednesday night.

After retiring the first six batters of the game with four strikeouts, ThunderBolts starter Eddie Avila ran into trouble in the third when he walked the first two Gateway hitters. Terry McClure came up with a two-out single to score both runs. Gateway (25-33) added to their lead in the fourth, when Trae Santos walked and scored on John Price’s two-out single.

The ThunderBolts (20-35) got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, when Tim Zier doubled and scored on a Blair Beck groundout. Riley Krane singled the following inning and made it a one-run game when he scored on Omar Obregon’s double.

Blake Brown led off the sixth with a solo home run to make it 4-2. Brennan Morgan walked, stole second and scored on a Cody Livesay single to extend the lead to three.

The Bolts fought back in the bottom of the sixth. Axel Johnson singled, Tyler Straub walked and Riley Krane hid a deep fly to right that McClure couldn’t catch, scoring both runners and putting the tying run at third. The Grizzlies bullpen pitched out of the jam, though, maintaining their one-run lead.

Three walks loaded the bases for Windy City in the eighth, but they failed to score as Gateway wrapped up their one-run win.

Will Anderson (3-2) allowed four runs in 5.1 innings for the win and Avila (0-4) allowed four runs in five innings for the loss. Kevin Simmons struck out all three batters he faced for the save.

The rubber match of the three-game series is set for Thursday night as Zac Westcott (4-7, 2.96) takes the mound against Gateway’s Mike Elwood (4-5, 3.76). It is White Castle Wrestling Thursday featuring Scott Hall and a pint glass giveaway to the first 500 fans 21 and over, courtesy of Lakeshore Beverage. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 and the broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.

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