09/08/2008 9:51 PM
MARION, Ill. -- Brandon Jones broke a sixth inning tie with a monstrous two-out three-run homer as the host Southern Illinois Miners held off the Windy City ThunderBolts, 4-2, to avoid a sweep in the Frontier League Divisional Championship Series on Monday night at Rent One Park.
The Windy City offense collected eight hits, drew four walks and was hit by three pitches, but stranded 12 runners on base during the game.
'Bolts starter Stephen Flake (0-1) suffered the loss, done in by two significant mistake pitches over the course of seven otherwise quality innings.
In the second inning, Miners catcher Brendan Akashian crushed a solo home run off Flake over the bullpens in right field, giving Southern Illinois an early 1-0 lead. Akashian had homered only once in 69 games during the regular season.
Mike Scanzano's error helped Windy City tie the game in the sixth, but Jones' mammoth shot into the pond beyond the left field wall gave the Miners the lead back in the bottom of the frame.
Southern Illinois starter Chris Little (1-0) earned the victory after allowing one unearned run through six-plus innings. Closer Mike Phelps retired Mike Coles, Phil Hawke and Wes Long in order to notch the save.
The ThunderBolts still have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series with Game 4 set for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday night at Rent One Park.
