Evansville was the first to crack the scoreboard with three runs in the third inning. Toby Thomas opened the scoring with an RBI single and he was then brought home on a two-run homer from Jeff Gardner, his second of the year.
Windy City would answer immediately with four runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead.
David Oppenheim singled through the right side to score Ishmael Edwards from second and provide Windy City with their first run.
A single from the next hitter Tyler Straub scored Oppenheim to pull Windy City within one run. The inning was capped off by Larry Balkwill who doubled home two runs to put Windy City in front 4-3.
The Thunderbolts extended their lead by one in the fifth when Ransom LaLonde walked with the bases loaded to force home a run.
The Windy City bullpen threw 4.1 innings of shutout baseball to secure the win 5-3 for the Thunderbolts. Devin Raferty came on in the ninth and pitched a 1-2-3 inning to secure his fourth save of the season.
Randy Wynne is handed his second loss of the campaign, his first as a starter. Wynne threw four innings, working into the fifth, and gave up five runs, four earned, while allowing eight hits and striking out two.
Windy City starter Patrick Ledet did not factor into the decision after throwing 4.2 innings and allowing three runs, all earned, on four hits and striking out six.
Chris DeRue picks up the win for Windy City out of the bullpen. DeRue threw 1.1 innings of shutout baseball recording two strikeouts.
For the rubber match of the series, the Otters will hand the ball to Patrick McGuff. McGuff is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA on the season. McGuff tossed a complete game shutout last Saturday against Normal and has not allowed a run in his first 13 innings this season.
Windy City will counter with southpaw Jaramy Jacobs. Jacobs is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA. Jacobs has started one game this season, taking a no decision after throwing five innings and allowing two runs.
Game three of the series will be exclusively on the Otters Digital Network presented by Kruckemeyer and Cohn. Sam Jellinek (play-by-play) will have the call for both contests.
The Otters will return home for a three-game series May 30-31 against the Florence Freedom. Wednesday, May 30 will be a doubleheader, starting at 5:05 p.m. and is Deaconess Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility Night. The series finale on May 31 starts at 6:35 p.m. and will be the first Thirsty Thursday of the season with special price drafts.
Fans can also follow Otters social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for game updates throughout the day.
