EL1 Trenton Thunder

Thunder Blanked by Goats Monday Night

Published on August 20, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


The Thunder offense sputtered on Monday night and could not drum up run support for a strong start by Luis Cessa in a 4-0 loss to the Hartford Yard Goats at ARM & HAMMER Park.

Hartford right-hander Rico Garcia allowed just a pair of third-inning singles and matched a career-high with 10 strikeouts over eight scoreless innings as the Thunder (68-58) put just three runners in scoring position in the game.

Cessa struck out eight and scattered four hits over six innings of work for Trenton, but with one out and the bases loaded in the third inning, Cessa saw a would-be inning-ending double-play grounder skip over the head of second baseman Gosuke Katoh, scoring the game's first two runs. Drew Weeks followed with an RBI-groundout to first base for a 3-0 Yard Goats lead.

Phillip Diehl kept the game within reach for the Thunder by tossing two scoreless innings in relief, but Hartford added one run in the ninth on a Scott Burcham RBI-infield single off right-hander Chase Hodson.

The Thunder posed their first scoring threat in the third, when Jhalan Jackson and Danienger Perez put two runners on with one out. But a popout and a diving catch of a Wendell Rijo line drive by Hartford center fielder Omar Carrizales ended the threat. Jackson also reached third with one out in the eighth inning on a dropped fly ball by Carrizales, but was left stranded.

In the bottom of the ninth, Brandon Wagner lined a two-out single off Yard Goats reliever Matt Pierpont, but after Trey Amburgey followed with a walk, Jorge Saez struck out swinging to end the game.

Despite being shut out for the eighth time of the season, the Thunder saw their magic number shrink to six with a Binghamton loss to Altoona.

Your Thunder conclude their homestand on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. against the Yard Goats. RHP Trevor Stephan (2-8, 5.37) will start for the Thunder, and LHP Evan Grills (2-4, 3.52) will go for Hartford. Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite football team's gear for Football Night, and Super Value Tuesday allows kids to eat free and dollar hot dogs for all. Tickets are available by phone at 609-394-3300 or online at TrentonThunder.com.

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Eastern League Stories from August 20, 2018


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