O’FALLON, MO–The River City Rascals split their Tuesday night doubleheader against the Windy City ThunderBolts at CarShield Field, losing the first game 4-2 and winning the second game 8-5. The two teams’ scheduled series finale in Crestwood, IL back on May 12th was rained out, forcing the twin bill tonight.
In the first game, the ThunderBolts got out to an early 4-0 lead, thanks to an RBI triple by Tim Zier and a three-run homer from Blair Beck in the top of the first. The Rascals got a sacrifice fly from Mike Jurgella in the first, and an RBI single, also from Jurgella, in the third to account for their only runs of the game.
Connor Bach (3-1) earned the win for the Bolts, allowing two runs in five innings, while walking two and striking out six. The Rascals got men on first and second with one one in the bottom of the nith, but closer Devin Raftery was able to strike the next two hitters out to pick up his 10th save and preserve the win.
Josh Kimborowicz (3-4) took the loss for the Rascals, allowing four runs in 4 1/3 innings. Rascals reliever and fromer ThunderBolt Chris Chigas went 2 2/3 scoreless innings out of the Rascals bullpen in the loss.
In the nightcap, it was the Rascals who jumped out to the early 4-0 lead in the first inning, on a two-run double from Braxton Martinez and a two-run homer from Clint Freeman. The Bolts rallied back for five unanswered runs, starting with a two-run fourth that featured an RBI single from Axel Johnson and an RBI double from Tyler Straub. They trimmed the Rascals lead to 4-3 after Derek Bangert led-off the fifth with a solo shot, and took the 5-4 lead on a two-run blast from Johnson later in the frame.
The Rascals tied the game at five with a Jurgella RBI single in the bottom of the fifth, and took the 7-5 in the very next at-bat on a two-run home run from Paul Kronenfeld. The Rascals added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a Bolts defensive error by Beck. Rascals closer Cody Mincey picked up his league-leading 18th save to seal the win.
Rascals starter Dalton Roach took a no-decision, allowing two runs in 3 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out six. Reliever Joe Iorio (5-1) earned the win.
Bolts starter Patrick Ledet also took a no-decision, allowing four runs in four innings and striking out five. Reliver Drew Peden (2-2) took the loss, allowing the game-tying and go-ahead runs.
Zier finished the doubleheader with five total hits, including a triple and a double.
The Rascals (35-33) and ThunderBolts (28-40) meet in the third game of a four-game set tomorrow night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 pm CT. Jonny Ortiz will get the start for the Rascals.
