With a month left in the regular season, the ThunderBolts are working to stay in the Frontier League playoff race while the Slammers are trying to join it.

“Just get out there game to game,” ThunderBolts manager Ron Biga said. “Hate to sound like a cliche, but that’s what it is. You go out there and play every day and take what you can and try not to let anything slip away.”

Since Joliet (31-35) swept Windy City near the end of June, the T-Bolts had won 17 of 27 for a 37-30 record going into Thursday’s series finale against the Slammers at Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood. The T-Bolts are a half-game behind Evansville and Washington, who are tied for the wild-card lead. Joliet is six games out.

The Slammers had the same record a year ago, and they went on to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Now the defending East Division champions have to get hot and stay hot to reach the postseason.

“I’m not saying these games are must-win, but it’s coming down to must-win time,” Joliet manager Jeff Isom said. “It’s easier to get them early on. We didn’t, so we’re forced into this situation. We’ve got to find a way to get the job done.”

Thursday’s game was suspended in the top of the fourth because of sporadic rain with Windy City ahead 4-0.

Joliet won the series opener 5-1 and initially led 4-0 Wednesday, but stranded 13 runners in a 6-5 loss.

“We’ve had opportunities to score a lot of runs and we haven’t been able to do that,” Isom said. “One thing our guys have to realize, you get a pitcher on the ropes, you’ve got to take advantage.”

Opponents haven’t had much success against either team’s closer. Windy City’s Brian Loconsole has a league-best 23 saves and Joliet’s Confesor Lara is near the top with 15.

Loconsole (1-1, 1.54 ERA) has been more effective in his second season with the T-Bolts after playing in the Angels organization.

“A lot of guys when they get released (from affiliated teams) have an expectation they’re going to dominate this league,” Biga said. “He didn’t dominate last year. I think he learned he’s got to pitch a little more, and that’s what he’s doing.

“Getting ahead of guys, command. He was more of a fastball, cutter guy. Now he’s fastball, cutter, slider, changeup.”

Lara (2-2, 2.51), a native of the Dominican Republic, joined the Slammers near the end of last season.

“Confesor has done very well,” Isom said. “He had a couple outings he gave up runs, but knock on wood, he hasn’t blown any saves. We’ve had a lot of one-run games we’ve used him. He’s got a good slider and a fastball in the low 90s.”

Lara earned a save in Tuesday’s win. He entered the game with the bases loaded and one out and struck out both batters he faced.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Slammers over the weekend. They play four games, including a Friday doubleheader, against East Division leader Schaumburg (46-21).

Windy City will host Traverse City (24-43), last in the East Division. The T-Bolts, a season-best nine games over .500 (16-7) on June 8, could have better numbers ahead.

“The next 30 games will tell the tale,” Biga said.

Tim Tierney is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.