Game Recaps

Blazing 'Bolts Sweep Away Rascals, 7-1

CRESTWOOD, Ill. -- Mike Sullivan and Wes Long each collected three hits and drove in three runs, leading the Windy City ThunderBolts (45-32) to a 7-1 victory and a three-game sweep of the River City Rascals (37-41) before a Thursday night crowd of 1,529 at Standard Bank Stadium.

Windy City wrapped up the season series with the Rascals by taking 10 of the 12 meetings between the squads.  The ThunderBolts have won 11 consecutive home games and 12 of their last 13 games.

'Bolts starter Amos Ramon did not need much offensive support in outdueling former ThunderBolts right-hander Toro Trevino in a battle of Corpus Christi, Texas, natives.

Ramon (5-3) limited River City to three hits and one run over six commanding innings while striking out six.  His teammates in the bullpen took over from there, with Alain Quijano working a perfect seventh inning, Brian Cullough pitching a scoreless eighth and Anthony Rebyanski shutting the door in the ninth.

River City starter Trevino (2-2) suffered the loss, surrendering seven runs (six earned) on nine base hits and four walks.  Most of the damage was caused by the duo of Sullivan and Long.

Centerfielder Sullivan provided an RBI double in the third inning for a 1-0 lead, then supplied a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth after the Rascals tied the score.  Three batters later, shortstop Long came through with his own two-run single  to increase the lead to 5-1.

In the seventh, a Mike Coles sacrifice fly and another RBI single from Long closed out the scoring.

Windy City second baseman Gilberto Mejia stole three bases and scored three runs in the game, chased around the bases by Sullivan's and Long's key knocks.

In defeat, Rascals centerfielder Luke Barganier collected three of his team's four hits, stole a base and drove in River City's only run.

The ThunderBolts next welcome the Gateway Grizzlies to town for a crucial three-game series stretching through the weekend.  The series opens on Friday night at 7:05, with right-hander Stephen Flake (7-3, 4.83) taking the mound for Windy City opposite Gateway right-hander Derek Blacksher (9-5, 4.57).


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