A four-run third inning for the Traverse City Beach Bums put Windy City away early on Monday night at Wuerfel Park. The Beach Bums won the game 8-3, handing Windy City their fourth consecutive loss.
The game started well for the Bolts. They scored in the first inning when Kent Gerst, who had reached on a single, stole third and crossed home when catcher Tommy Johnson’s throw sailed into left field.
They carried the 1-0 lead into the third when, with the Beach Bums batting and two outs, Donnie Ecker committed an error to load the bases. The next batter, C.J. Ziegler, walked to tie the game. Then J.T. Hall hit a grounder out in front of the plate that catcher Dan Jordan threw into right field, allowing three runs to score.
Traverse City added to their lead in the sixth. With Hall at third and Chase Burch at first, Burch took off for second base and on the throw, Hall took off, stealing home and making the score 5-1. The Beach Bums tried the same maneuver moments later, but when Andrew Werner’s pickoff throw was errant, Burch scored without a play.
Each team added two late runs including solo homers from C.J. Ziegler of Traverse City and J.T. Restko of Windy City, arriving at the 8-3 final. Werner (2-2) took the loss going six innings and allowing six total runs, only one of which was earned. Ryan Platt allowed just one run over six innings in his victory (3-0).
Windy City’s six-game road trip continues on Tuesday in Traverse City with the Bolts taking on the Beach Bums in game two at 6:05 central time. Brent Solich (2-2) gets the call for the ThunderBolts with Jonny Bravo (0-0) going for Traverse City. The game can be heard on sportsjuice.com.
