Jun 19, 2016 2 min read

Windy City starting pitcher Tyler Murphy and two relievers combined on a four-hitter as the Thunderbolts defeated the Wild Things 4-1 Sunday before 1,776 at Consol Energy Park.

Windy City took advantage of four Washington errors and avoided being swept in the three-game series. The Thunderbolts maintained a half-game lead over Joliet atop the Frontier League’s East Division standings.

The Wild Things took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Jamal Austin and Ricky Rodriguez each singled to start the inning against Murphy (2-0), and Austin scored when Bryan Haar hit into a double play. Washington, however, had only two hits the rest of the way.

Murphy pitched seven innings and was followed by reliever Joel Lima and Isaac Gil, the latter getting his fourth save by striking out the side in the bottom of the ninth.

Washington starter Matt Fraudin (2-2) took a shutout into the sixth but a two-single by Ransom LaLonde tied the score at 1-1. In the seventh, Windy City strung together four consecutive singles, and combined with a two-base error, produced two runs. Reggie Lawson’s run-scoring hit gave Windy City a 2-1 lead.

The Wild Things begin a six-game road trip Tuesday at Traverse City. They will not play a home game until June 29 when they host a doubleheader against the Gateway Grizzlies.