O’FALLON, MO – Travis Tingle pitched 7.1 three-hit innings, leading the ThunderBolts to their second straight victory. They defeated the River City Rascals 2-1 in game one of a three game series at T.R. Hughes Ballpark Friday night.
The ThunderBolts took a 1-0 lead in the second inning thanks to some defensive problems for River City. Andrew Brauer led off with a double, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored when catcher Danny Canela’s throw to third base was dropped by Sean Borman.
Tingle held down the one-run lead as he retired 16 out of 17 hitters following a leadoff single in the first inning for Eric Williams.
The Bolts made the score 2-0 in the fifth. Zach Aakhus led off with a single, one of the five times he reached base in the game, and later made it all the way to third on an errant pickoff throw. Adam Davis’s two-out double scored Aakhus from third.
Tingle ran into his first real trouble in the eighth. Borman hit a leadoff double and, with Tyler Claburn relieving, pinch runner Steve Carillo scored on a Johnny Morales groundout. The Rascals then loaded the bases on two singles and a walk and Michael Click was called out of the bullpen. He struck out Evan Crawford on three pitches to preserve the 2-1 lead.
Click pitched a perfect ninth-inning to wrap up the victory.
Tingle (3-2) earned the victory, going a career-long 7.1 innings and allowing one run on three hits. Brett Harman (0-5) was the tough-luck loser, allowing two unearned runs in 5.1 innings. Click picked up his eighth save.
The ThunderBolts will try to win the series Saturday night in game two from O’Fallon. Travis Strong (1-4, 5.45) will get the call for the Bolts against River City’s Tommy Mendoza (3-3, 4.50). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 CDT. The game broadcast can be heard on wcthunderbolts.com.
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