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CRESTWOOD, IL – The ThunderBolts suffered their first home loss of the season Wednesday night as David Fox’s two-run ninth-inning single propelled the Joliet Slammers to a 5-3 victory at Standard Bank Stadium.

The Bolts were first to score as they loaded the bases with no outs in the second. Brandon Pearl hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Brandon Decker, putting Windy City up 1-0.

The lead was short-lived as Erik Lis homered over the right field wall in the top of the third to tie the game at one.

The ThunderBolts were quick to strike back when, in the bottom of the third, Decker singled home Chad Cregar, who had reached on a fielder’s choice earlier in the inning.

The score remained 2-1 into the fifth inning when Ben Hewett walked and Abel Nieves doubled with no outs, putting runners on second and third for Joliet. Hector Pellot hit a foul ball down the left field line that Decker made a leaping catch on, but both Hewett and Nieves tagged and scored on the play, giving the Slammers a 3-2 lead. The ThunderBolts argued the call, but lost the argument, and Joliet claimed the lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, with two outs and Decker at first, Bryan Burke doubled, scoring Decker and tying the game once again at three.

The tie lasted until the top of the ninth inning. Nieves and Pellot hit back-to-back singles with one out before Lis struck out. After Matt Costello hit Zach Mandelblatt with a pitch, Fox’s two-out single scored Nieves and Pellot to give the Slammers the 5-3 victory.

Mike Recchia started for the Bolts and allowed three runs over 5.2 innings. Daniel Carela (2-0) was the winning pitcher; Tyson Corley (0-1) took the loss, allowing his first two runs of the year. Amalio Diaz picked up his fifth save.

The Bolts and Slammers will resume their series Thursday night at 7:05. It is $1.25 beer night for Bud Light Thirsty Thursday as Stephen Sauer (1-0) takes the hill for the ThunderBolts against Joliet’s Jeremy Tietze (0-1). Anyone who cannot make it to the park can hear the game broadcast on WXAV, 88.3 fm and WXAV.com.

Box Score