McKinney's Grand Slam Too Late in 5-4 Loss
August 12, 2016 - Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release
The Thunder needed eight innings to break into the hit column and Billy McKinney hit a grand slam home run, but, the furious rally fell short in the ninth inning of a 5-4 loss to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in front of 5,112 fans at ARM & HAMMER Park on Friday night.
New Hampshire pitching, led by Conner Greene and Brady Dragmire, held the Thunder to just three walks across the first eight innings of play. The no-hit bid was finally broken when Dustin Fowler singled cleanly through the right side of the infield. After Miguel Andujar reached on a fielder's choice and Mike Ford struck out, Abiatal Avelino walked to load the bases.
Billy McKinney stepped to the plate and drilled a 1-0 pitch over the right field wall to cut the 5-0 lead to 5-4. It was the first grand slam hit by a Thunder player since Mark Payton's on September 2, 2015 against the New Britain Rock Cats.
Following the home run, New Hampshire summoned former Thunder RHP Chris Smith to the mound and he allowed a single to Mark Payton before retiring the final two men in the game for his 11th save.
New Hampshire grabbed a 1-0 lead on Daniel Camarena in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Dwight Smith Jr. Camarena earned a tough-luck defeat for allowing only the one run on six hits and one walk in six innings.
The Fisher Cats scored four times in the top of the seventh inning off Cale Coshow to extend their lead. Jason Leblebijian, Roemon Fields, Christian Lopes and Richard Urena all brought runs home in the inning against Coshow.
Your Thunder continue their homestand on Saturday night at 7pm against the Fisher Cats. RHP Ronald Herrera will start for the Thunder, RHP Jeremy Gabryswski will go for New Hampshire. Saturday is Back to School Night with post-game fireworks set to 80's Pop Music presented by Macy's. Tickets are available by phone at 609-394-3300 or online at TrentonThunder.com.
Eastern League Stories from August 12, 2016
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- Greene Tosses Six No-Hit Innings in Fisher Cats Win - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
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