CRESTWOOD -- Windy City ThunderBolts starter Ted Ratliff earned his first professional win on Friday night as the 'Bolts beat the Midwest Sliders by a score of 8-3 in front of 2,353 fans at Standard Bank Stadium.
Ratliff (1-1) threw a career-high 6.0 innings, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out one batter.
"It was hot and humid outside and I was getting tired," said Ratliff "But it was great to get the run support tonight."
Ratliff got all the runs he would need when the 'Bolts put up three runs in the second and third innings. Phil Hawke started the outburst with his thirteenth home run of the season to lead off the second inning. It was his second home run in as many days. Wes Long was the other big run-producer going 3 for 3 at the plate with two runs scored. Justin Tellam continued his hot streak going 2 for 2 with two RBI.
Shawn Ravenscraft (0-2) only lasted 1.1 innings giving up three runs on four hits while walking one and striking out none. The rest of the Sliders bullpen allowed five runs, only two earned, on six hits while walking four.
The win put the 'Bolts to within 4.5 games of the first place Southern Illinois Miners, who lost on Friday 7-4.
The 'Bolts will now get ready for a three-game set against the Wild Card-leading Gateway Grizzlies on Saturday night for a Frontier League Championship re-match. The pitching matchup will feature LHP Brooks Dunn (1-2, 3.79) for Gateway against RHP Ross Stout (7-3, 3.20) for Windy City. It will also be fireworks night at Standard Bank Stadium courtesy of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans at 7:05
