Holder, Wagner Lead Thunder to Win over Goats
July 20, 2019 - Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release
A go-ahead two-run single in the seventh inning by Brandon Wagner helped lift the Thunder to a 6-4 win over the Hartford Yard Goats on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 6,518 at ARM & HAMMER Park.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Thunder (13-17, 51-44) and gives the team a chance to salvage a split of the four-game series Sunday.
Kyle Holder led the Thunder with four hits to match his career-high, extending his hitting streak to a team-high 10 games and contributing a brilliant barehanded play on a grounder to shortstop in the eighth inning that helped preserve the Thunder lead.
Trailing 4-3 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Thunder got a leadoff walk from Ben Ruta. Hartford reliever Justin Lawrence (0-3) then induced a flyout before walking two men to load the bases. Rayan Gonzalez took over and grooved a first-pitch fastball to Wagner, who lined a two-run single to right field. Isiah Gilliam followed with an RBI-double to extend the lead to 6-4, but Wagner was thrown out at the plate attempting to score a second run on the play.
The Yard Goats (14-15, 51-45) collected each of their four runs on two-run doubles. Manny Melendez plated a pair with a two-bagger in the second inning, and after the Thunder tied the score at 2-2 in the fourth on a Gosuke Katoh sacrifice fly and a Rashad Crawford RBI-single, a two-run double by Scott Burcham put Hartford back in front, 4-2, against Thunder starter Nick Green.
Chris Gittens slugged his team-leading 17th homer of the season, a solo shot leading off the bottom of the fifth.
Braden Bristo (1-0) earned the win in relief, retiring nine of the 10 batters he faced in three innings of scoreless relief. The right-hander pitched the sixth through eighth innings, bridging the gap to Daniel Alvarez, who recorded the save with a scoreless ninth.
Your Thunder continue their homestand on Sunday at 5 p.m. against the Yard Goats. RHP Nick Nelson (3-2, 3.48) will start for the Thunder, and LHP Matt Whitehouse (1-1, 8.35) will go for Hartford. The first 1,000 fans ages 5 to 13 will receive a Thunder Beach Ball, presented by Valley Spas and Pools. Tickets are available by phone at 609-394-3300 or online at TrentonThunder.com.
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