Thunder defeat Bandits to Secure Division and trip to face Phantoms

The Toronto Thunder defied Hal’s predicted last place division finish and secured a trip to the playoffs by defeating the Wichita Bandits 4 to 1. Game highlights: The game started with Dylan Bundy versus Matt Boyd. Boyd retired the first 9 batters of the Thunder to set the tone, but Bundy answered by doing the same to the Bandit squad. In the top of the 4th, Boyd struck out Jorge Polanco to start the inning but Randy Arozarena caught a hanger and sent it over the fence. Boyd settled down and proceeded to get Nelson Cruz to groundout and also struck out Aaron Judge to limit the damage to 1 run. The Bandits came out firing in the bottom half of the inning with Luis Robert lining a single into the outfield. The ever dangerous runner, then proceeded to steal second with ease. He just couldn’t get a good lead to try for 3rd, but never fear, J.P. Crawford lined a sharp double to drive him in. The Thunder manager came out to talk to Bundy but decided to trust the veteran right hander to get out of the jam. Bundy proceeded to strike out Tim Anderson and Tyler Naquin to get two outs. Sean Murphy was not having any of that however as he squeezed a seeing-eye single to move Crawford to third. Bundy, determined as ever, got Matt Chapman to fly out and end the danger and keep the game tied 1-1. Both pitchers quickly moved through the 5th inning with no damage and so started the top of the 6th. Boyd got Evan White to ground out for the first out. Polanco however hit a solid double into the gap. Up stepped Arozarena who had hit a home run earlier, but Boyd bore down and struck him out. Nelson Cruz then managed to work a walk, to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Judge stepped to the plate having yet to connect on anything in the game. However the Thunder star made the connection when it counted and shot a 3 run homer over the centerfield fence. Boyd got the next batter out, but the damage was done, with the score now Thunder up 4-1. With that, the Thunder moved to their bullpen to try and seal the game. The Bandits would get one runner on in the 6th, load the bases in the 7th, put two on in the 8th, and get one on in the 9th, but the Thunder relievers held them scoreless. The Thunder relievers of Jorge Alcala, Kyle Cody, James Karinchak, Chad Green, and closer Nick Anderson would record 10 strikeouts in the 4 innings of work to preserve the victory. Winning pitcher – Bundy 5 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 earned run, 0 walks, and 7 Ks. Losing pitcher – Boyd 6 IP, 5 hits, 4 runs, 4 earned runs, 2 walks, and 5 Ks. Save – Anderson 1.2IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 earned runs, and 5 Ks.