The ThunderBolts jumped on Washington starter Tim Smith early on their way to a 5-2 victory Monday afternoon at Standard Bank Stadium, their second over the Wild Things in as many days.
Zach Aakhus had his second straight productive game at the plate as he began a first inning rally with a single. Gilberto Mejia and Ryan Basham each singled following Aakhus, the latter driving in a run. Ryne White’s double scored the next run and JT Restko and Michael Torres each picked up RBI as well with a groundout and a single respectively.
The Bolts led 4-0 at the end of one, giving a good cushion to ThunderBolts starter Andrew Werner, who had to work out of a big jam in the first. He hit a batter and walked three, but with the bases loaded and two out, Billy O’Connor flew out to center to end the threat. Washington’s runs came in the fourth and fifth. John Delaney, who doubled leading off the fourth, scored on a Luis Rivera and Denny Duron in the fifth stole home to make it 4-2.
Windy City added a fifth inning insurance run when White doubled and scored on a Torres sac fly. Werner went six innings for the ThunderBolts and allowed two runs on nine hits and struck out seven. The bullpen was phenomenal again with Brandon Garner, Bradley Blanks and Nick Hall each pitching a scoreless inning, Hall securing his fifth save. Andrew Werner improved to 4-2 (3-1 with the Bolts) and Washington starter Tim Smith took the loss, falling to 4-3.
The ThunderBolts welcome the River City Rascals to town for a three-game series starting Tuesday night at 7:05. The Bolts will send Dustin Williams (0-2) to the mound for the opener as Windy City tries to keep their winning streak going. The game can be heard live on Sportsjuice.com.
