Tony Gonzalez hit a three-run, second inning homerun that proved to be all the offense that the Windy City ThunderBolts would need as they downed the Southern Illinois Miners 5-1.
After Southern Illinois took advantage of a couple of Windy City errors to plate an unearned run in the first inning, the ThunderBolts put their first two men aboard in the second inning. With one out, Tony Gonzalez came up and drove a 3-2 pitch down the line in left field. The ball just stayed fair, clanging off the pole for a homerun and a 3-1 ThunderBolts lead.
Tony Gonzalez came through again the sixth when, with runners on the corners, he lashed a single through the left side, scoring Nate Hall for a 4-1 Windy City advantage. The Bolts would get an insurance run in the eighth as with one out Hall doubled in front of a Vinnie Scarduzio single to make it 5-1.
Overall Gonzalez went 2-for-4 on the day with four RBI. Gilberto Mejia had three hits, extending his hitting streak to a Frontier League season high 17 games. He also stole his league leading 16th base of the year.
The runs came in support of Ross Stout (2-0) who went six innings allowing two hits and one unearned run, striking out three in the game. Chris Wiman (2-1) took the loss for the Miners.
Windy City continues their six game road trip at Southern Illinois Saturday. Stephen Flake (0-1, 5.66) goes to the hill for the ThunderBolts. Saturday’s game will be on sportsjuice.com. You can also follow the ThunderBolts on Facebook and Twitter or for information or tickets, call 708-489-BALL stop by the Standard Bank Stadium ticket office or go to the team’s website at
www.wcthunderbolts.com.
