June 11, 2009 - LOVES PARK, Ill. – Four Windy City pitchers combined on a five-hitter on Thursday as the ThunderBolts avoided a series sweep with a 6-2 win over the Rockford RiverHawks.
The ‘Bolts snapped the RiverHawks’ two-game winning streak, in front of a near-sellout crowd of 3,004 at Road Ranger Stadium.
Windy City pitching combined to strike out 12 and walk one. Dustin Pease (3-1) scattered three hits, struck out seven and walked one over 5 2/3 innings for the win. Former Chicago Cub Billy Petrick followed with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in his Frontier League debut. He struck out two without a walk.
The ThunderBolts led from the first inning on. J.T. Restko doubled in two runs in the first. Windy City scored a pair of unearned runs off Rockford starter Rob Neigebauer (0-3) in the second to make it 4-0.
The RiverHawks got on the board on a two-out, two-run double by Ben Blumenthal in the bottom of the second.
The ThunderBolts scored a pair of insurance runs in the ninth on a sacrifice squeeze by Tyler Farrar and a home run by Vinnie Scarduzio.
Gateway comes in to begin a three-game series at 7:05 p.m. Friday. The FatWallet.com Friday Night Fireworks Series follows the game.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league that will play its 17th season this summer. The RiverHawks play their home opener at 7:05 p.m. May 26 against the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti. The RiverHawks host the 2009 Frontier League All-Star Game at 7:05 p.m. on July 15. Advertising and season-ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com. Most games are broadcast live on ESPN 1380, and on the team website.
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