EL1 Trenton Thunder

Portland's 8th Inning Rally Steals Series from Thunder

Published on June 24, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


PORTLAND, ME - Austin Rei's two-run single in the eighth inning gave Portland a 5-4 lead that they'd hold onto on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field. The Thunder (42-31) dropped the series at Portland (28-46) with the defeat.

Working against Jordan Foley, Chad De La Guerra hit a solo home run with one out in the eighth to bring the Sea Dogs within a run. After a pop out by Jantzen Witte, Josh Ockimey worked a walk and Johnny Bladel singled on a slow groundball that got past first baseman Gosuke Katoh. Wendell Rijo committed a fielding error to let both runners advance to second and third. Foley then issued a walk to Luke Tendler before Rei dropped a soft fly ball into shallow left for the go-ahead hit.

The Thunder appeared primed for a ninth inning comeback with singles from Jhalen Jackson and Rijo, but, Jeff Hendrix bounced into an game-ending double play to the shortstop Johnny Rivera.

The Thunder struck first in the top half of the first inning when Hendrix worked a walk to start the game and Billy Fleming drove him in with a double to right-center. The 1-0 lead for the Thunder stood into the fourth inning when Portland tied the game on a sacrifice fly by Johnny Bladel.

Trenton's offense quickly re-took the lead in the fifth inning against Mike Shawaryn. Francisco Diaz and Wendell Rijo each singled to start the inning and Jeff Hendrix reached on a bunt attempt to load the bases with nobody out. Billy Fleming brought a run in with a groundout and after a pop out, Trey Amburgey plated a pair with a single back through the middle for a 4-1 lead.

Michael King worked around a solo home run from Luke Tendler in the seventh to complete another brilliant outing. King scattered six baserunners over his seven innings and struck out a Thunder-high eight batters on Sunday afternoon.

Rijo and Francisco Diaz each recorded multi-hit games, combining to go 5-for-7 with a walk and two runs scored at the bottom of the order.

Your Thunder continue their road trip on Monday night at 6:35pm against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:20pm on 920 AM The Jersey and online www.TrentonThunder.com/Broadcast.

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Eastern League Stories from June 24, 2018


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