By: Braeden Jones
CRESTWOOD, IL – The past two games of this series had seen at least six runs from both sides, but the Joliet Slammers (33-51) would be the one to fall short of that number in this game as the Windy City ThunderBolts (43-41) won 8-0 on Sunday to win the series at Ozinga Field.
Like yesterday’s game, the ThunderBolts would start off with a pair of runs in the bottom of the 1st inning. After the first two batters in Liam McArthur and Michael Sandle were both walked, Carlos Pena would bring them home off a 2-RBI double. That started Windy City in the lead at 2-0.
The ThunderBolts would add another run in the bottom of the 2nd as well. Tony Livermore would start it off being walked to get himself on first base. That would set up a single for Sandle that turned into a scoring play off a throwing error by Joliet, letting Livermore come home. That shifted the score over just a bit to 3-0.
That would not be it for Windy City as they delivered a huge bottom of the 3rd inning to keep the scoring going. Pena and Daryl Ruiz would both get walked to set up a 3-run homer for Robbie Ayers to clear the bases. That would not be all the action in this half-inning, as Livermore would be walked and steal second base to put himself in scoring position. McArthur would bring Livermore home with an RBI double, advancing the total score to 7-0.
The ThunderBolts were showing up big for this series capper as they would score again in the bottom of the 5th. Two singles for Livermore and Josue Urdaneta would set up some baserunners for Windy City. McArthur laid down an RBI single to score Livermore, furthering the lead to 8-0.
The Slammers could never run in a score, so the ThunderBolts were able to hold Joliet scoreless after allowing 21 runs the past two games, winning this one 8-0.
After losing the series-decider, the Slammers will have Monday off before returning to Slammers Stadium to begin a series against the Gateway Grizzlies on Tuesday. The ThunderBolts pulled off a big home victory and will get Monday to rest before playing yet another home game on Tuesday against the Boomers.
