Game Recaps

'Bolts Bullpen Holds Off Grizzlies, 5-4

SAUGET, Ill. -- Matt Petty set down Michael Campbell on a game-ending bases-loaded groundout to save a nail-biting 5-4 victory for the Windy City ThunderBolts (32-29) over the Gateway Grizzlies (31-31) on Monday night at GCS Ballpark.

A match-up of Windy City ace Ross Stout and Gateway eight-game winner Derek Blacksher saw four different ties through the first five innings.

In the top of the seventh, Mike Coles' RBI infield single off of Blacksher (8-4) gave the ThunderBolts their third lead of the game.

From that point on, the Windy City bullpen was equal to the challenge.

Alain Quijano worked a scoreless seventh, striking out Gateway sluggers Charlie Lisk and Mike Breyman in the process.

After Quijano allowed a leadoff single to Campbell in the eighth, former Grizzlie Anthony Rebyanski set down all three men that he faced.

That brought the game into the ninth, where Gateway immediately threatened against the ThunderBolts' closer. Robbie Minor reached on an infield single and Kevin House drew a walk, putting the potential tying and winning runs on base. Holdren sacrificed both into scoring position, but Petty bore down and induced Lisk to ground out to third. A walk to Breyman loaded the bases for Campbell, who shortly thereafter sent a routine bouncer to first baseman Phil Hawke to end the ballgame.

The save was Petty's eleventh of the season, locking up the victory for Stout (7-3). The Windy City starter gave up 11 hits over six innings, but limited the Grizzlies to only four runs in earning his seventh consecutive win following an 0-3 start to the year.

The Grizzlies stranded 11 runners on base during the game, while Windy City left only six men on the basepaths.

In the winning cause, ThunderBolts shortstop Wes Long went 3-for-4 while teammate Hawke blasted his team-leading tenth home run.

On Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m., Windy City and Gateway wrap up the three-game series with a rubber match. The ThunderBolts starter is still to be determined. Following the conclusion of the game, the 'Bolts return home to Standard Bank Stadium to begin a nine-game homestand.



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