Lake Erie Crushers Lose Again But Hold Onto Playoff Lead

The fell into a hole early against the Windy City Thunderbolts Sunday night at and they weren't able to dig their way out, losing, 8-4, in front of a crowd of 2,005.

Despite the loss, the Crushers (43-40) were able to maintain a 1 1/2-game lead for the second and final spot in the Frontier League's Eastern Division. The Traverse City Beach Bums lost to the division-leading Joliet Slammers, 7-5, Sunday. Windy City's win put the Thunderbolts in a tie with the Beach Bums for third place behind the Crushers.

Windy City took command early, building a 5-1 lead after three innings. Trailing, 7-1, in the seventh inning, the Crushers scored three runs, but that was as close as they'd get.

Josh Roberts (8-6, 4.58 earned run average) took the loss for the Crushers, giving up five runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Kyle Shaffer and Robby Kuzdale each had two hits for the Crushers. Jason Taylor had a hit and two RBI.

The Crushers are off Monday before opening a three-game series at Joliet.  Paul Fagan (6-9, 4.20) is scheduled to start for the Crushers on Tuesday.