EL1 Trenton Thunder

Rijo, Wagner Deliver Clutch Hits in Thunder Victory

Published on May 23, 2019 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


Timely hits by Wendell Rijo and Brandon Wagner proved to be the difference in a 3-2 Education Day win for the Thunder over the Portland Sea Dogs on Thursday in front of a crowd of 7,231 at ARM & HAMMER Park.

The win put the Thunder (27-17) back in first place in the Eastern Division, a half-game ahead of second-place Binghamton.

Trailing 2-1, the Thunder opened the bottom of the sixth inning with a Rashad Crawford walk. Hoy Jun Park advanced Crawford to second with a sacrifice bunt, and Rijo followed with a game-tying RBI-double to left field. After a popout and an intentional walk, Wagner delivered a single to right field, scoring Rijo from second.

Trevor Lane (2-0), Brooks Kriske, and Daniel Alvarez combined for scoreless relief the rest of the way, stranding the tying run for Portland in scoring position in each of the final three innings.

Cody Asche had given the Sea Dogs (13-31) an early lead with a first-inning solo homer off Rony Garcia, but Matt Lipka tied the score in the third with a game-tying solo shot off Portland's Kyle Hart (3-6). Hart took the loss, despite holding the Thunder to three runs on four hits in a seven-inning quality start.

The Sea Dogs reclaimed the lead in the top of the sixth. Jeremy Rivera reached on a throwing error to open the inning, and a single and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. Luke Tendler then hit a grounder to shortstop Hoy Park with one out, but Rijo dropped the flip, denying the Thunder a chance at an inning-ending double play and allowing Rivera to score the go-ahead run from third. Lane took over for Garcia with two out in the inning, inducing an inning-ending popout and keeping Portland within one run, 2-1.

Your Thunder begin a four-game road trip in Binghamton on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. RHP Albert Abreu (1-3, 3.99) will start for the Thunder, and RHP Mickey Jannis (2-0, 0.00) will go for Binghamton. 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 May 23, 2019


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