Boomers drop both in doubleheader
The Schaumburg Boomers were swept in a day/night doubleheader by the Windy City Thunderbolts. In the opener, the Boomers could not overcome a five-run second inning for the Thunderbolts and lost 6-3.
Zack Weigel homered for a second consecutive day, handing the Boomers a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with his sixth homer of the year. The longball came with two outs against Windy City starter Connor Bach and would be the only lead of the game. Riley Krane homered to begin the bottom of the second inning, tying the game with the first of five runs off Schaumburg starter Kit Fowler.
The Boomers bounced Bach from the game in the top of the third, scoring twice on just one hit after drawing three walks. Weigel coaxed a bases-loaded walk and Ty Moore lifted a sacrifice fly. Patrick Ledet came on in relief and retired 17-of-18 to quell any chances of a rally. Windy City tacked on an insurance run in the eighth against Joe Hauser, who entered in relief after starting on Tuesday. Schaumburg brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but Devin Raftery induced a double play to end the game.
Fowler threw six innings but suffered the loss, allowing five runs. The offense managed just six hits in the contest. Jack Parenty produced a pair along with Moore. Parenty has reached base in 17 straight while Weigel owns a 16-game stretch. The loss brought an end to a four-game win streak.
The Boomers were then blanked 3-0 in the second game on the road Thursday night.
Newcomer Chris Powell, the son of major leaguer Dennis Powell, threw a complete game in his debut but took the loss. Windy City scored single runs in the third, sixth and ninth to hand Schaumburg a seventh shutout loss of the season. Powell struck out five in the eight-inning effort. The Boomers limited Windy City to just five hits while totaling six, two each from Jack Parenty and Kenny Towns. The Boomers had runners on base in every inning but could not score. Parenty has reached base in 18 straight while Zack Weigel owns a 17-game stretch.
The road trip will continue at Joliet on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. The Boomers (34-29) will place LHP Gunnar Kines (4-1, 3.88) on the mound opposite RHP Shane Bryant (1-5, 5.28). Schaumburg returns home on July 31.