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O’FALLON, MO – Hector Hernandez held the ThunderBolts to only two hits as the Bolts were shutout for the third time this year in a 3-0 loss to the River City Rascals at CarShield Field Saturday night.

The Bolts (16-10) had an early opportunity with two runners on base in the first inning but Mike Jurgella caught Keenyn Walker stealing and Hernandez struck out Larry Balkwill to end the threat.

Clay Chapman retired the first ten Rascals hitters he faced but number 11 hit a solo home run to break the scoreless tie. It was Jimmy Kerrigan’s seond home run of the series.

River City (14-12) added two to their lead in the seventh. With two outs and no one on, Brandon Thomas was hit by a pitch and Clint Freeman singled in front of Taylor Love who drove in both runs on a triple.

The ThunderBolts did not hit a ball out of the infield through the first seven innings but they put together a scoring chance in the eighth. Kyle Wood was hit by a pitch, Ransom LaLonde singled and Walker walked to load the bases but Nick Kennedy came out of the bullpen and struck out Coco Johnson to end the threat.

Hernandez (2-3) pitched 7.2 innings, struck out seven and walked two as he picked up the win. Chapman (0-3) allowed three runs on six hits with five strikeouts over 6.2 innings to take the loss. Kennedy retired the last four batters for the save.

The Bolts will try to avoid the River City sweep in the series finale on Sunday. Zac Westcott (4-0, 2.50) gets the start for the Bolts against the Rascals’ Tim Koons (1-2, 8.43). First pitch from CarShield Field is scheduled for 4:05 and the broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.