The Kansas City T-Bones (47-35) committed three errors over the final two innings, and the Joliet JackHammers (42-41) capitalized as they took the first game of four-game series, 4-2, Thursday night at Silver Cross Field.

Both starters matched scoreless frames through the first six innings before Joliet struck for two runs on three hits and an error in the seventh against Andrew Cruse (9-5). Freddie Thon began the frame with a double and advanced to third on an infield single by Chris Colton. After a strikeout, Roberto Mena attempted a suicide squeeze and reached safely on a throwing error, allowing Thon to score while moving Colton to third and Mena to second. Joe Billick followed with an RBI single that chased Cruse and gave Joliet a 2-0 lead. Casey Hodges retired the next batter to end the frame.

Cruse was charged with two runs, one earned, on six hits while striking out seven over six and two-thirds innings in the loss. Cruse faced just one over the minimum through his first four innings, and allowed just two runners past first base through six frames.

Kansas City pulled within one against Bear Bay (7-5) in the top of the eighth on two hits and one Joliet error. Ray Sadler singled with one out and scored when the next batter, Jim Fasano, singled and advanced to second on a fielding error by the left fielder.

Bay left following Fasano’s single and earned the victory after allowing one unearned run on eight hits while striking out nine over seven and one-thirds innings. Five of Bay’s first six outs in the contest were strikeouts.

The JackHammers chased Hodges in the eighth after a double and an error allowed the first two batters to reach. Erik Hamren entered and allowed a run to score on a wild pitch to his first batter before Thon reached safely on the T-Bones second error of the inning, forcing in a run to push the score to 4-1.

The T-Bones loaded the bases with nobody out against Griffin Bailey in the ninth. A double-play groundout by Jacob Blackwood plated a run and capped the score at 4-2. A groundout from the next hitter ended the game and gave Bailey his 12th save of the season.

The two teams face off in game two of their four-game series Friday night as Kansas City sends Reid Santos (4-5, 5.30) opposite Paul Fagan (0-0, 2.46) in a battle of left-handers. First pitch is set for 7:10. Catch all the action online at www.tbonesbaseball.com or on the radio at KXTR 1660 AM.