EL1 Trenton Thunder

Keller No-No Highlights Doubleheader Split

Published on August 1, 2019 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


Brian Keller tossed a seven-inning no-hitter in a 2-0 win for the Thunder in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader before the Thunder fell, 4-2, to the Altoona Curve in the nightcap in front of a crowd of 5,231 at ARM & HAMMER Park.

Keller (3-1) allowed just one baserunner in his no-hitter, issuing a leadoff walk to Logan Hill in the second inning. The right-hander struck out six, including getting Hill swinging for the game's final out in the seventh. Keller threw just 70 pitches, 53 for strikes, to complete the gem.

The no-hitter was the sixth in Thunder franchise history, the second for the team this season, and the eighth in the Eastern League in 2019.

Brian Navarreto gave the Thunder (20-23, 58-51) a 1-0 lead on a second-inning sacrifice fly to center field, and Ben Ruta produced the game's final run on an RBI-double in the third.

Pedro Vasquez (6-3) took the loss for Altoona (19-22, 55-54) in the pitchers' duel, limiting the Thunder to five hits over six innings.

In the second game, Chris Gittens gave the Thunder an early lead with a two-run double to right-center in the first inning. But South Jersey native Shawn Semple, making his home debut as the Thunder starter, allowed a solo homer to Logan Hill in the second inning and a go-ahead homer to Darnell Sweeney in the third.

Semple went on to pitch all seven innings, a career-high, for the Thunder. The righty struck out eight batters while walking only one.

After throwing 34 pitches in the first inning, Curve starter Beau Sulser (8-1) did not allow a hit over his final four innings. Blake Cederlind and Matt Eckelman each pitched an inning of scoreless relief to hand the Thunder the nightcap loss.

Rashad Crawford collected a hit in both games for the Thunder, extending his on-base streak to 11 games, one shy of his season-high.

Your Thunder travel to Hartford, Connecticut on Friday to open a three-game series against the Hartford Yard Goats at 7:05 p.m. RHP Nick Nelson (5-2, 2.91) will start for the Thunder, and RHP Antonio Santos (0-2, 13.50) will go for Hartford. Pregame coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on 920 AM The Jersey or online at TrentonThunder.com/Broadcast.

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Eastern League Stories from August 1, 2019


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