EL1 Trenton Thunder

Thunder Draw Even Late, Fall to Sea Dogs, 6-5

Published on August 15, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


PORTLAND, ME --- The Thunder rallied from a 5-1 deficit after fivsix innings, but dropped their fourth straight game as te Portland Sea Gods completed a late rally of their own on Wednesday night at Hadlock Field.

With the loss, the magic number for the Thunder to clinch a postseason spot stands at 13.

Trevor Stephan navigated his way through a pair of difficult innings to start the night before settling in. Bobby Dalbec put the Sea Dogs on the board with an RBI 2B in the first inning. After a walk to Tate Matheny to load the bases in the first, Stephan got Luke Tendler to bounce into an inning-ending double play. Stephan then struck out the first two men he faced in the second before surrendering three straight hits, capped off by a Chad De La Guerra two-run double for an early 3-0 lead.

The right-hander retired nine straight batters following De La Guerra's double before allowing a single to Michael Chavis to end his night in the 5th. Stephan went 4.2 IP allowing three runs on six hits, one walk and matched a Thunder-high even strikeouts.

With the Sea Dogs staked to their early lead, the Thunder offense was held hit-less through the first 5.2 innings until Wendell Rijo lined a single into center fielder off reliever Jake Cosart. Rashad Crawford then reached on an error by 3B Bobby Dalbec when he misplayed a pop up and let it land in foul territory, scoring Trey Amburgey. The Thunder threatened to tie the game, however, Jhalan Jackson struck out with two men in scoring position to end the inning.

The Thunder drew closer in the seventh, loading the bases with nobody out. Mandy Alvarez singled hoime a run and forced the Sea Dogs to go to their bullpen. Gosuke Katoh greeted Trey Ball with a sacrifice fly to left to make it 5-3 and after a fly out by Amburgey, Wendell Rijo singled home another. Ball got out of the inning by getting Crawford to ground out.

Trenton finally tied the game when Mandy Alvarez drove in his second run of the night by reaching on a fielders choice in the eighth inning. Jhalan Jackson crossed home to tie the game at five, however, the lead would not last for long. Jhon Nunez walked to begin the Sea Dogs half of the eighth and was bunted into scoring position by Danny Mars. After a pitching change, Phillip Diehl delivered a wild pitch moving the go-ahead run to third. Deiner Lopez then hit a ground ball to third and Mandy Alvarez's throw home was just late allowing Nunez to score.

Your Thunder complete their road trip on Thursday afternoon at 12:00pm against the Sea Dogs. RHP Nick Green (AA Debut) will start for the Thunder, LHP Daniel McGrath (1-3, 3.78) will go for Portland. Pre-game coverage begins at 11:45am on 920 AM The Jersey and online www.TrentonThunder.com/Broadcast.

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Eastern League Stories from August 15, 2018


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