EL1 Trenton Thunder

Keller Deals Seven in 3-2 Win over Richmond

Published on May 13, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


RICHMOND, VA - Right-hander Brian Keller went a season-high seven innings in a 3-2 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond.

With the win the Thunder (22-13) earned a split of their four-game series with the Flying Squirrels (19-16).

The Thunder broke out for three first inning runs against Chase Johnson. In his second start following Tommy John surgery, Johnson retired the first two batters of the inning on just five pitches. However, Abiatal Avelino singled on an 0-2 pitch and then Chris Gittens followed with an opposite field two-run home run. The Thunder offense kept rolling after the home run with a double from Gosuke Katoh and an RBI single from Jhalan Jackson to take a 3-0 lead.

The three runs was all that Keller needed to earn the third win of his season. Keller allowed just two hits through the first 5.2 innings of his outing before running into some trouble in the sixth. Miguel Gomez recorded his third hit of the game with a two-out double and Ryan Howard followed him with a walk. Dylan Davis then worked an eight-pitch at-bat and lined a double to left-center to bring the Squirrels within a run. On the very next pitch, Aramis Garcia lifted a fly ball to left-center and Trey Amburgey made a full extension diving catch in deep left to maintain the one-run lead for the Thunder.

Keller then fired a scoreless seventh to complete his longest outing of the season. He allowed the two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six batters.

Stephen Tarpley and Jordan Foley each delivered scoreless innings to finish the win. Foley was able to work out of a jam in the ninth by stranding the winning run on first for his fifth save of the season.

Abiatal Avelino extended his hit streak to seven straight games with his first inning single. Jeff Hendrix made his 2018 debut on Sunday going 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt in the eighth.

Your Thunder return to ARM & HAMMER Park on Monday night at 7:00pm to begin a three-game series with the Akron RubberDucks. RHP Dillon Tate (1-2, 4.60) will start for the Thunder, LHP Matt Whitehouse (1-1, 2.57) will go for Akron. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:45pm on 1040 AM WCHR and online www.TrentonThunder.com/Broadcast.

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Eastern League Stories from May 13, 2018


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