Game Recaps

ThunderBolts capture home finale in pitchers' duel

Bolts 2 Things 1

CRESTWOOD, IL – Clay Chapman did not allow a hit until the seventh inning and gave up only one total in eight innings as he led the Windy City ThunderBolts to a 2-1 win over the Washington Wild Things in the home finale at Standard Bank Stadium Thursday night.

Chapman was a little wild early as he walked three of the first ten men he faced. He was able to pitch out of some early jams, though, and did not issue another walk after the third.

The Wild Things (45-47) also had a few early scoring chances curtailed by strong ThunderBolts defense as they hit into two double plays and were the victims of a diving Cody Keefer catch with a man on base in the fourth.

The ThunderBolts (41-51) meanwhile struggled to hit with men on, going 0-for-7 over the first five innings. In the sixth, they loaded the bases on two singles and a hit batter. Ransom LaLonde was then hit by his league-high 21st pitch of the year to force in the game’s first run.

They added one in the seventh. Larry Balkwill walked and advanced to third on a sacrifice and a groundout. Coco Johnson singled him home to make it 2-0.

Chapman lost his no-hit bid when Grant Fink doubled with two outs in the eighth but he retired the final four batters he faced.

David Popkins broke up the shutout with a solo homer in the ninth.

Chapman struck out seven over his eight innings and improved to 9-7 in his last scheduled start of the year. Brandon Bixler (1-2) took the loss despite allowing only two runs in 6.1 innings. Brian Loconsole pitched the ninth for his ninth save.

The ThunderBolts will finish their season with a three-game series on the road against the Schaumburg Boomers. Game one on Friday will feature Zac Westcott (1-0, 1.06) on the hill for the Bolts against Schaumburg’s Scott Schultz (4-7, 5.68). First pitch from Boomers Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 and the broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.

Box Score



Search Archive »





Browse by Month »

September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008