EL1 Trenton Thunder

Thunder Fall as Fightins Salvage Split

Published on August 23, 2018 under 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.

Check out the Trenton Thunder Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from August 23, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central