JOLIET, Ill. — Joliet starting pitcher Steven Maxwell flirted with a no-hitter as the Slammers bested the Schaumburg Boomers 2-1 in the middle game of a road series on Thursday night.

Maxwell did not allow a hit until Nick Kuroczko recorded an opposite field double down the left field line for the Boomers with one out in the eighth. Pinch hitter Chad Mozingo followed with a single and Kuroczko scored on a groundout off the bat of Karexon Sanchez to bring the Boomers within a run but the tying run was left on base in the ninth in the loss. Maxwell threw eight innings for Joliet (15-17), allowing just the two hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Amalio Diaz posted his seventh save by working the ninth.

Cameron Roth was just as strong for the Boomers, striking out a season high seven in a four-hit complete game effort, the first complete game in franchise history. Roth allowed just a pair of first inning runs that scored on back-to-back doubles from Erik Lis and Kyle Maunus. Schaumburg (20-12) remains alone atop the West Division standings.

The series will conclude on Friday night with another 7:05 p.m. contest. RHP Tyler Watkins (1-3, 3.62) takes to the mound for the Boomers opposite RHP Jake Renshaw (0-1, 4.26).

PECKS

• Marty Coyle made his first appearance as a professional, entering the game behind the plate for the bottom of the eighth
• The Boomers lost for the first time this season when not committing an error; Schaumburg is 10-1 in error free contests this season
• Sean Mahley saw his season best eight-game hit streak come to a close in the defeat