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The Windy City ThunderBolts scored 11 runs in the final four innings to come from behind and defeat the Southern Illinois Miners 12-5.

Windy City got on the board in the first inning with an unearned run as with runners on first and second, Gered Mochizuki misplayed a ball at short, allowing Gilberto Mejia to score for a 1-0 Bolts lead. It was shortlived, however, as Southern Illinois came back with four runs on just two hits and the help of two ThunderBolts errors to give the Miners a 4-1 edge. Southern Illinois tacked on another run in the third to go up 5-1.

 

Windy City would put up a run in the fifth on a Bryan Cook single to pull a little closer. The fifth was just an appetizer for what was to come as the ThunderBolts, who had baserunners in scoring position in every previous inning, got the big hits they were looking for all game as with the bases loaded for Windy City after a pair of singles and a hit batsman, Gilberto Mejia picked up the Bolts with a double down the rightfield line, scoring a pair and cutting the lead to 5-4. It was part of a 3-for-5 night for Martinez who extended his hitting streak to 23 games.

 

Not content to stop there, a walk to Guillermo Martinez reloaded the bases, a passed ball kicked off the glove of catcher Chris Crescenzi, allowing Damian Walcott to score, tying the game at 5-5. With Mejia on third and Martinez on second, Bryan Cook capped the scoring in the inning with an RBI single to put WC up 7-5. The ThunderBolts broke things open late with a run in the seventh and four in the eighth to make it 12-5.

 

The runs came in support of Nick Hall (2-1) who picked up the win with two dazzling innings of relief, not allowing a baserunner, striking out four. Jake McMurran (2-2) did not record an out, giving up three runs taking the loss.

 

Offensively for Windy City, Tyler Farrar had a break out game, going 5-for-5 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored.

 

Windy City continues the series with Southern Illinois on Friday as Tyler Kelsey (3-1, 4.18) will make the start for the ThunderBolts against Joe Augustine (0-3, 4.89) for the Miners. The first 1,000 fans in the ballpark will receive ThunderBolts 22 oz Back2Back Champions mugs courtesy of Chicago Event Graphics. It is also a Fill ‘R Up Friday with all 12 oz domestic draft beers just $1. 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.