EL1 Trenton Thunder

Big First Inning Propels Trenton Past Portland

April 9, 2012 - Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


(Trenton, NJ) - Trenton batted around and scored four times in the first inning, then later added two more home runs en route to an 8-3 victory over Portland Monday night before 3,611 fans at Waterfront Park. The win was the second straight for the Thunder, which evens its record at 2-2 on the young season.

Trenton sent nine to the plate in the first against Sea Dogs' starter Billy Buckner (0-10) and scored four times on six hits and walk. Zoilo Almonte and Gustavo Molina hit long balls later in the game to cement the victory.

Josh Romanski (1-0) picked up his first-career Eastern League win by going 5.1 innings and allowed three runs (earned) on seven hits. Cory Arbiso threw 1.2 scoreless innings in relief to get a hold, while Chase Whitley finished the game with two scoreless frames to earn his first save.

In the Trenton first, David Adams, Almonte, Melky Mesa and Molina picked up RBI singles to stake Romanski to the big early advantage. After the Sea Dogs scored a pair in the second to cut the deficit in half, Almonte clubbed his second home run in as many games to make it 5-2 in the third.

Dan Butler's RBI single in the sixth brought Portland within 5-3 and chased Romanski, but Arbiso came in with two runners on base and ended the threat by retiring the next two hitters.

Trenton would score the game's final three runs against reliever Eammon Portice. Abraham Almonte made the score 6-3 in the sixth with an RBI single. Molina then drilled a two-run shot in the eighth, his first as a Thunder and the team's tenth long ball in four games.

Both Almontes had three-hit games for Trenton, with Abraham going 3-for-5 with an RBI and Zoilo 3-for-4 with two RBI. Butler paced Portland's attack with two hits including a home run.

The teams play game two of the series Tuesday night at Waterfront Park with first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m. Thunder right-hander Craig Heyer is expected to pitch against Portland righty Chris Balcom-Miller. Limited tickets are available by contacting the box office at 609-394-3300 or online at www.trentonthunder.com.

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Eastern League Stories from April 9, 2012


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