Boomers' offense rolls 18-6

The Schaumburg Boomers set or equaled numerous team records in an 18-6 rout of the Frontier Greys to sweep the series and move into a first-place tie Sunday.

Mark Nelson opened the scoring with a grand slam off the foul pole in right as part of a 6-run third inning. The homer marked the third of the season for Nelson and the fourth grand slam for the Boomers. The blast opened the gates for Schaumburg, which matched a team record by scoring 18 runs for the third time this season.

The Boomers got contributions from all nine players in the lineup in setting a team mark for hits in a game with 20.

Gerard Hall finished with 5 hits with a home run and a triple to equal the single-game franchise mark. Hall also drove in 6 runs to equal a standard established earlier this year by Michael Valadez.

Mark Nelson finished with 3 hits and 5 RBI. Mark Nelson and Ty Nelson scored 4 runs to also tie the franchise mark.

Eddie Cody benefited from the run support, working 6 innings to improve to 6-1. Cody struck out seven.

Schaumburg set a single-season record for runs scored, crossing the mark of 473 from 2012. The Boomers scored 37 runs in the series, finishing 6-0 against the Greys this year.

Schaumburg (53-34) has won five straight and is tied for first in the West Division following a River City loss at Lake Erie.

The Boomers have a magic number of five with nine games remaining to clinch a second consecutive playoff spot. The homestand continues Tuesday against the Rockford Aviators. RHP Seth Webster (6-4, 3.10) will start in the 6:30 p.m. contest.