EL1 Trenton Thunder

Hughes Leads Thunder Contingent To Eastern League All-Star Game

Published on June 29, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


(Trenton, NJ)- 20-year-old RHP Phil Hughes is one of five Trenton Thunder players named to play for the Northern Division All-Stars at Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 12th. The mid-summer classic will be played at Blair County Ballpark in Altoona, PA.

Hughes, the #1 rated prospect in the N.Y.Yankees Minor League system, will be joined on the Northern Division All-Star Team by RHP Justin Pope, LHP Charlie Manning, INF Gabe Lopez and OF Bronson Sardinha. Hughes will not be able to participate due to his commitment to the "Future's Game" during the Major League All-Star Game festivities on Sunday, July 9th. Altoona (6) has the most representatives of any team in the league with the Trenton's five players coming in second place.

Hughes has a 5-3 record with a 2.94 ERA in his first 11 starts with the Thunder, including wins in his last three straight decisions. He tossed seven "no-hit" innings against Connecticut on June 23rd at Waterfront Park, finishing with one hit allowed over eight innings. And yesterday, Hughes tossed five shutout innings, again allowing just one hit, to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. In his last five starts, Hughes has a 3-1 record with a 0.91 ERA.

Pope started the year with Columbus (AAA), but returned to Trenton in mid-May, reclaiming his role as the Thunder's closer. He has 16 saves (T-1st in E.L.) and a 1.23 ERA. Pope has set two Trenton records this season by saving 10 games this month and recording saves in 10 straight appearances. He is the Thunder all-time saves leader currently with 45. This is the second straight season that Pope has been named to the Northern Division All-Star Team.

Manning started the season as one of the most effective relief pitchers in the Eastern League. At one point in May, he led all Eastern League pitchers in wins (6). Between April 22nd and May 28th, Manning recorded a 5-0 record, 1 SV, and a 0.90 ERA. Last season, the lefty had a 4-3 record for Trenton with a 3.33 ERA.

After a slow start to 2006, Lopez came on during the month of May and early June and has a .245 BA, 2 HR, 26 RBI for the season. He reached base safely in 16 straight games and 24 consecutive home games (April 19- June 8). Lopez also collected 24 BB during May, while raising his batting average from .214 (May 23rd) to .280 (June 15th). Sardinha, with a .257 BA, 9 HR, 32 RBI, is in his 3rd season with the Thunder and second as the everyday right fielder. He was among the league leaders during May with a .326 BA (8th), 43 hits (1st), 73 total bases (1st), 7 HR (T-1st), 20 runs scored (T-2nd) and 20 RBI (T-4th). Sardinha currently leads Trenton in hits (73) and runs scored (42), while being 3rd in RBI (32).

The Thunder wraps up their three-game series in Manchester, NH tonight at 6:35 PM against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Toronto's Double-A Affiliate. Tyler Clippard (3-9, 4.88) starts for Trenton against New Hampshire's Kyle Yates (3-6, 3.68).

2006 Eastern League All-Stars

NORTHERN DIVISION ALL-STARS

(# denotes Rite Aid Fan Selection)

P Matt Garza (#) New Britain Rock Cats

P Philip Hughes (#) Trenton Thunder

P Michael MacDonald (#) New Hampshire Fisher Cats

P Charlie Manning Trenton Thunder

P Patrick Misch (#) Connecticut Defenders

P Henry Owens Binghamton Mets

P Mike Pelfrey (#) Binghamton Mets

P Glen Perkins New Britain Rock Cats

P Justin Pope Trenton Thunder

P Ismael Ramirez New Hampshire Fisher Cats

P Chris Smith (#) Portland Sea Dogs

C Brian Munhall Connecticut Defenders

C Curtis Thigpen New Hampshire Fisher Cats

INF Michel Abreu Binghamton Mets

INF Brian Buscher Connecticut Defenders

INF Gabe Lopez (#) Trenton Thunder

INF Felix Molina New Britain Rock Cats

INF Chad Spann (#) Portland Sea Dogs

INF Tyler Von Schell (#) Connecticut Defenders

INF Jeremy West Portland Sea Dogs

OF Adam Lind (#) New Hampshire Fisher Cats

OF Tyler Minges Portland Sea Dogs

OF Jorge Padilla (#) Binghamton Mets

OF Bronson Sardinha Trenton Thunder

OF Denard Span (#) New Britain Rock Cats

Coaches (Portland): Todd Claus (Manager), Ace Adams (Pitching Coach), Russ Morman (Hitting Coach), Masai Takahashi (Trainer), Brad Hutson (Assistant Trainer)

SOUTHERN DIVISION ALL-STARS

(# denotes Rite Aid Fan Selection)

P Ronald "Bear" Bay (#) Akron Aeros

P Kip Bouknight (#) Harrisburg Senators

P Gio Gonzalez (#) Reading Phillies

P Daniel Haigwood Reading Phillies

P Landon Jacobsen Altoona Curve

P James Johnson (#) Bowie Baysox

P Bobby M. Jones (#) Erie SeaWolves

P Brandon Knight (#) Altoona Curve

P Marino Salas Bowie Baysox

P Sean Smith Akron Aeros

P Shane Youman Altoona Curve

C Salomon Manriquez Harrisburg Senators

C Mike Rabelo Erie SeaWolves

INF Kory Casto Harrisburg Senators

INF Melvin Dorta (#) Harrisburg Senators

INF Tony Giarratano Erie SeaWolves

INF Kevin Kouzmanoff (#) Akron Aeros

INF Carlos Leon Reading Phillies

INF Simon Pond Altoona Curve

INF Eider Torrez Akron Aeros

OF Kurt Airoso (#) Erie SeaWolves

OF Michael Bourn (#) Reading Phillies

OF Vic Buttler (#) Altoona Curve

OF Cory Keylor (#) Bowie Baysox

OF Brett Roneberg Altoona Curve

Coaches (Altoona): Tim Leiper (Manager), Ray Searage (Pitching Coach), Brandon Moore (Hitting Coach), Thomas Pribyl (Trainer), Kyle Bolen (Strength Coach)

Check out the Trenton Thunder Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from June 29, 2006


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