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CRESTWOOD, IL – The ThunderBolts were shutout for the second straight night by the Evansville Otters, 5-0 in front of a crowd of 2,428 at Standard Bank Stadium Saturday night.

Kyle Von Ruden pitched well for Windy City, allowing three hits and no runs through the first four innings but his counterpart, Matt Wivinis, was just as good. He allowed a Johnny Eierman double and Tim Zier single through four innings but nothing more.

The Otters (40-29) broke the scoreless tie in the fifth as John Schultz hit a leadoff triple. He scored on Julio Rodriguez’s sacrifice fly. With two outs in the same inning, Rolando Gomez dropped down a bunt single and stole second. Chris Riopedre singled him in to give the Otters a 2-0 lead.

They added a run in the seventh when Gomez tripled and Riopedre picked up his second RBI single of the night.

The best scoring chance for the ThunderBolts (34-37) came in the sixth inning. After Wivinis threw five shutout innings and allowed only three hits, Tyler Thompson came in from the bullpen and walked two of his first three hitters. Thompson pitched out of the jam with a strikeout and a groundout.

Evansville put the game away with two runs in the eighth. Chris Breen and John Schultz each doubled and Schultz scored on Kaeo Aliviado’s groundout.

Wivinis (1-0) picked up his first career victory in his first start. He struck out five in his five innings. Von Ruden (1-3) was the loser, allowing three runs in seven innings. He dropped his third straight game despite a 3.26 ERA in those appearances.

The ThunderBolts conclude their homestand on Sunday evening with the finale against Evansville. It is Standard Bank Family Day and fans can get four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for just 30 dollars. After the game the ThunderBolts will sign autographs and all fans are allowed on to the field to play catch in the outfield. Brady Muller (3-6, 3.79) will start for the Bolts against Evansville’s Preston Olson (4-2, 3.09). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 and the broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.

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