Slammers 7 Bolts 1
CRESTWOOD, IL – The ThunderBolts were held hitless for six innings by Kody McFarland Friday night and went on to lose to the Joliet Slammers 7-1 at Standard Bank Stadium.
The Slammers started the scoring with an Adam Giacalone solo home run in the second inning and the score remained 1-0 until the seventh. They had managed only five hits in the first six innings off of Windy City starter Brian Oliver but they picked up five straight to start the seventh. Max Casper made the score 2-0 with his RBI single and Adam Lewis loaded the bases with a bunt hit. Christopher Epps then drove in two runs on his single. Grant DeBruin’s sacrifice fly finished the scoring in the four-run inning.
After a long layoff, McFarland reclaimed the mound, but gave up a bloop hit to Andrew Brauer on his second pitch. The ThunderBolts had only one baserunner prior to the Brauer single and McFarland had faced the minimum through six. The Bolts got on the board later in the inning when Max White doubled and Ryan Soares singled him in.
McFarland came out for the eighth inning but departed with two outs and two men on. He struck out 11 and gave up four hits. David Kubiak got the final four outs, striking out three of four batters he faced. In all, ThunderBolt hitters struck out 14 times after doing so 15 times on Thursday.
Joliet put the game away with two runs in the ninth on run-scoring hits from Matt Weaver and DeBruin.
McFarland (4-4) earned the win and Oliver (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs in six innings. Kubiak picked up his fourth save.
The ThunderBolts and Slammers continue their series on Saturday. Eli Anderson (1-7, 7.30) is slated to get the start for Windy City against Joliet’s Andrew Busby (2-6, 4.78). There will be a fireworks show following the game. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 and those not in attendance can hear the broadcast on meridix.com.
Box Score
