CRESTWOOD -- The Windy City ThunderBolts (33-31) were able to beat the Midwest Sliders (20-44) by a score of 10-4 on Thursday night in front of 1,842 fans at Standard Bank Stadium.
The Sliders jumped out to a 1-0 lead against starter Isaac Hess (4-5) thanks to an RBI-single from Sam Deluca before the Windy City offense got to work. The middle of the order for Windy City hit a combined 8 for 15 in the game scoring seven runs and driving in six. The 'Bolts blew the game open in the sixth with a four-run outburst. Windy City loaded the bases with two outs in the inning when catcher Sean Snell allowed a passed ball to allow a run to score. He then made a throwing error to home plate to allow a second runner to come home. Phil Hawke then uncorked his team-leading twelfth home run of the season over the right center field fence to make the score 8-2.
Hess picked up his fourth win of the year and his fourteenth of his career with Windy City to tie the franchise mark for most victories. He lasted a season-high 6.0 innings giving up two runs on six hits while striking out four. He will have the opportunity to earn the record-breaking win against the Sliders on Tuesday of next week.
The 'Bolts took the lead of the game in their half of the first inning thanks to two runs on four consecutive base hits. Windy City left eight men on base, as compared to twelve in last night's 9-7 loss to Midwest.
Chris Rubio (0-5) took the loss for the Sliders going 4.2 innings, giving up 4 runs on eight hits while striking out two.
The ThunderBolts will go for the series win on Friday night against the Sliders as RHP Chris Ravenscraft will go for Midwest against RHP Ted Ratliff for the ThunderBolts. First pitch is set for 7:05 at Standard Bank Stadium and the first 1,000 fans will receive a ThunderBolts Baseball Card Set courtesy of DeVry University.
