CRESTWOOD -- The Windy City ThunderBolts (23-20) got another complete game from their starting pitcher as Amos Ramon beat the Gateway Grizzlies (22-21) 3-2 at Standard Bank Stadium on Friday night in front of a crowd of 1,809.
Ramon (3-2) only needed two-hours-and-six-minutes to throw his first professional complete game as he gave up two runs on five hits while striking out four and walking just one batter. All this coming off arguably his worst start of the year in his last outing giving up 11 runs against Southern Illinois last Saturday.
Gateway starter Adam Revelette (2-1) was nearly as impressive going 8.0 innings giving up just two runs on five hits while striking out five. Windy City put their first run on the board against Revelette thanks to Mike Coles’ solo home run in the first inning. The hit extended his hitting streak to 15 games.
The ThunderBolts extended their lead to 2-0 when Scott Billak laced a two-out single to right-center field to score Brett Amyx.
Windy City would add one more run in the bottom of the eighth as Wes Long reached via a base hit to push his hit streak to 13 games. After a Phil Hawk single, Josh Horn drove in the insurance run to make it 3-1.
That run would prove to be huge as Stephen Holdren hit a two-out home run in the top of the ninth for the final score before Ramon got Kyle Shelton to ground out to end the contest.
Windy City will get ready for game two of their three game set at home against Gateway tomorrow night at 7:05. There will be another fireworks show after the game sponsored by Lumina, Inc. The matchup will feature RHP Derek Blacksher (5-2, 4.70) for Gateway against RHP Michael Eisenberg (1-3, 3.82) for Windy City.
