Thunder Fall as Fightins Salvage Split
August 23, 2018 - Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release
READING, Pa. - A four-run fourth inning for the Reading Fightin Phils proved too much for the Thunder in an 8-3 loss on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The Thunder (69-60) stranded 10 runners in the game and struck out a total of 15 times, matching a season-high. Trenton starter Nick Green struggled over five and one-third innings, surrendering six runs (five earned).
With the Thunder leading 1-0 and runners on first and second for Reading (61-66) in the bottom of the fourth inning, Damek Tomscha hit a ground ball to third. Third baseman Gosuke Katoh threw to second base in an attempt to start a double play, but threw wildly into right field, allowing Cornelius Randolph to score the tying run. Austin Listi followed by lifting a go-ahead, three-run homer just over the wall in left-center.
The rally erased the Thunder advantage provided by Bruce Caldwell's towering solo homer off Fightin Phils starter Harold Arauz in the third inning. The right-hander went on to strike out eight batters over five and two-third innings and received the win.
The Thunder got an RBI-single from Jhalan Jackson in the top of the sixth to come within two runs, 4-2, but left the tying run stranded at second. Reading added to its lead in the bottom half, as Listi blooped an RBI-double into shallow left field, and Malquin Canelo and Adam Haseley later contributed back-to-back RBI-singles.
Reading added three runs on four hits in the sixth inning off Green and reliever Matt Frawley, then got a bases-loaded walk from Randolph in the eighth off Thunder right-hander Chase Hodson for an 8-2 lead. Trenton salvaged a run in the ninth inning on an RBI-double by Wendell Rijo, but left Rijo stranded when Trey Amburgey flied out to center to end the game.
With the loss, the Thunder's magic number to clinch a playoff berth remains at four.
Your Thunder continue their road trip on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Hartford Yard Goats. RHP Brian Keller (9-8, 3.58) will start for the Thunder, and RHP Jesus Tinoco (7-11, 5.08) will go for Hartford. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on 920 AM The Jersey or online at TrentonThunder.com/Broadcast.
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