EL1 Trenton Thunder

Reading Longballs Doom Thunder, Snap Streak

Published on August 2, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


READING, Pa. - After rallying back from a four-run deficit, the Thunder fell victim to a late go-ahead, solo home run by Deivi Grullon, in an 8-4 loss to the Reading Fightin Phils on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Grullon's decisive home run came in the seventh inning off Thunder (61-48) right-hander Chase Hodson in his double-A debut and broke a 4-4 tie.

The loss ended a four-game winning streak for the Thunder and denied the team a sweep of the three-game series.

Reading (50-59) had jumped out to a 4-0 lead off Thunder starter Trevor Stephan in the bottom of the third. Jan Hernandez was hit by a pitch leading off the inning, and due to apparent injury, was lifted for pinch-runner Jiandido Tromp. Drew Stankiewicz then legged out an infield single, and Adam Haseley singled to right field, loading the bases. Austin Listi then drove a 2-2 pitch from Stephan over the wall in left-center for a grand slam.

Stephan would pitch five and two-third innings, recovering to retire the final 10 batters he faced after the grand slam. The right-hander also matched his double-A career-high with seven strikeouts and did not walk a batter.

Trenton immediately pushed back in the top of the fourth against Fightin Phils starter Felix Paulino. Brandon Wagner and Kyle Holder singled, and Jhalan Jackson lined a double into the left field corner, scoring both runners. Two batters later, Ryan Lidge singled to right field, plating Jackson and bringing the Thunder within one run, 4-3.

The Thunder tied the score in the sixth, Paulino's final inning, on an RBI-single by Jackson, who recorded his team-high third hit and third RBI of the game.

Hodson allowed three additional runs in the bottom of the eighth on RBI-singles by Damek Tomscha and Cornelius Randolph, and a sacrifice fly by Grullon. Relievers Luke Leftwich and Jeff Singer, meanwhile, combined to hold Trenton hitless over the final three innings.

Your Thunder continue their road trip on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at Dunkin Donuts Park against the Hartford Yard Goats. The Thunder have yet to announce their starting pitcher, while LHP Evan Grills (2-4, 4.41) will go for Hartford. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on 920 AM The Jersey or online at TrentonThunder.com.

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Eastern League Stories from August 2, 2018


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