Crushers' bats silenced again in loss to ThunderBolts

AVON — Infielder Jacob Tobias pitching in back-to-back games was certainly not in the plans for the Crushers. The Lake Erie bats were silenced once again as the Crushers mustered only six hits Wednesday afternoon during an 11-2 defeat to the Windy City ThunderBolts. "We are young, we have a lot of talent and we are learning what it takes to win in this environment," Crushers manager Jared Lemieux said. "We need to come out ready to play (today)." Windy City scored five runs in the second inning after a pair of two-run singles by James Dunlap and Victor Cerny. The ThunderBolts made it 5-0 on Donte Grant's infield single. Alfredo Gonzalez, who played in the Chicago White Sox organization, drove in the first run of the game for the Crushers (1-4) with a single in the bottom of the third. The ThunderBolts answered quickly in the fourth with run-scoring extra-base hits from Cerny and Michael Sandle to extend their lead to 7-1. Joe Redfield knocked in the second and final run for the Crushers with a single in the bottom of the fifth. Windy City added four more insurance runs with hits from Dunlap, Khyle Radcliffe and Daryl Ruiz. Crushers left-handed starter Andres Parra was forced out of the game in the third inning with an injury. He allowed five runs on eight hits with three walks and one strikeout over 1 2/3 innings. "He got put in a jam early and worked out of it," Lemieux said. "There was something with his lower body that was affecting him today and that's how they got their runs. He's young and he's learning and hopefully he's OK. He is still a talented player." Four relievers finished the game for the Crushers — Fraynel Nova, Christian Scafidi, Pavin Parks and Tobias. Nova allowed two runs on five hits over 3 2/3 innings, while Scafidi looked sharp out of the bullpen, working a scoreless 1 2/3 innings while allowing no hits with one walk. "I really liked what I saw from Nova and Scafidi," Lemieux said. "Nova came in on the fly and you have to tip your cap for anyone who is willing to do that and give us length, so I am proud of his effort today." As for Windy City, right-hander Tyler Wehrle dominated the Crushers offense by allowing one earned run on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts over six innings. Covering the remaining three scoreless innings for the ThunderBolts were relievers Zach Cameron, Justin Lovell and Carter Delaney. Sandle, Ruiz and Dunlap all notched three hit games for Windy City. Leading the Crushers offense was center fielder Joe Redfield, who finished 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI. "I did see some positives with moving some guys in different positions to see what we got, and we are going to learn and grow," Lemieux said. "I think this is a good club and I am excited to see what we are able to do going forward." The Crushers and ThunderBolts will wrap up their three-game series today at 11 a.m. at ForeFront Field. Contact Michael Bodzenta at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.