CornBelters scratch out 9th straight triumph

Pat McKenna drove in three runs in the CornBelters' 3-2 win over Windy City on Thursday.  (WJBC file photo)
Pat McKenna drove in three runs in the CornBelters’ 3-2 win over Windy City on Thursday. (WJBC file photo)

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters completed the sweep of the Windy City ThunderBolts with a 3-2 win on Thursday night while also increasing their franchise record win streak to nine.

The ThunderBolts scored early in the first inning off of a Jonathan Garcia two-run home run out to left field. CornBelters shortstop Pat McKenna matched Garcia in the bottom half of the first inning with a 414-foot two-run bomb to left field, tying the game at 2-2.

Not until the fifth inning would the tie be broken by McKenna’s two-out RBI single bringing in Cameron Monger.

Leondy Perez (1-0) went 5 1/3 innings in his Normal debut for the win, giving up five hits and both runs with three walks and four strikeouts. Despite allowing three hits, Race Parmenter held down the fort for the final two innings to pick up his second save. Austin Wright (1-3) threw five innings and took the loss.

The CornBelters (14-4) remain on top of the Frontier League West Division as they face off against the Southern Illinois Miners Friday night at 6:35. Lefty Kevin Brahney (3-0, 0.42 ERA) starts for the Belters while the Miners counter with left-hander Matt Bywater (3-0, 1.73). Broadcast time is 6:20 on WJBC.com

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