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CRESTWOOD, IL – The Washington Wild Things scored four late runs to overcome a 2-0 deficit and defeat the ThunderBolts 4-3 at Standard Bank Stadium Friday night, decreasing the Bolts’ wild card lead over the Things to a half game.

Windy City (47-41) jumped early on Washington starter Trevor Foss. They had seven hits and nine total baserunners in the first five innings but Foss pitched out of danger several times, stranding five men on base. The ThunderBolts broke through in the third inning as Coco Johnson drew a walk and scored on Larry Balkwill’s two-out double. Tim Zier followed with a base hit to score Balkwill.

Clay Chapman had not allowed a hit through the first four innings but Washington (46-41) came through in the fifth on a Kane Sweeney solo home run, cutting the ThunderBolts’ lead in half.

They tied it in the following inning when Kyle Reese singled and Rashad Brown tripled him home.

Washington struck for the third straight frame and took their first lead in the seventh. Sweeney walked and scored the go-ahead run on a Hector Roa triple. Roa scored on a Kyle Pollock sacrifice fly.

The ThunderBolts made it interesting in the ninth, getting a leadoff triple from Zier. He crossed the plate on Corey Bass’s groundout, bringing the Bolts back within one. They could not get any more, though, as Zach Strecker finished the inning for his 20th save.

Foss (11-5) allowed two runs in seven innings for the win and Chapman (4-6) allowed four runs in seven innings for the loss.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday night. Zac Westcott (7-4, 4.61) gets the start for the Bolts against Washington’s Aaron Burns (4-2, 3.50). It is Star Wars Night at Standard Bank Stadium, featuring a postgame fireworks show presented by Tampico Beverage. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 and the broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.

Box Score