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EL1 Trenton Thunder

Thunder Stave off Late Scare, Beat Hartford

August 25, 2018 - Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


HARTFORD, Conn. - Trey Amburgey paced the Thunder with three hits and four RBI, and the bullpen held on in the late innings a 7-6 win over the Hartford Yard Goats on Saturday night at Dunkin Donuts Park.

The win, along with a Reading Fightin Phils loss, trimmed the Thunder's (71-60) magic number to one.

Entering the bottom of the ninth with a 7-2 lead, Thunder right-hander Hobie Harris allowed a leadoff single to Brandon Bednar. After a throwing error by third baseman Danienger Perez, Ryan Metzler delivered an RBI-single to left field. Harris retired the next two batters before giving way to fellow right-hander Matt Frawley, who uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Mylz Jones to score from third. Roberto Ramos then hooked the two-run homer around the right field foul pole to bring Hartford (60-68) within one run. Brian Mundell singled and took second as Sam Hilliard was intentionally walked, but Frawley recorded the final out on a fielder's choice grounder to third, stranding the tying and winning runs.

The late threat nearly overshadowed a career night for Amburgey, whose go-ahead two-run homer in the third inning off Hartford starter Rico Garcia broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Thunder a permanent lead. Amburgey's four RBI in the game matched a career-high.

Ryan Bollinger went five innings as Trenton's starter, striking out six but battling a high pitch count. Trevor Lane provided two scoreless innings of relief before yielding to Harris in the eighth.

A two-run double by Bruce Caldwell had given the Thunder a 2-0 lead in the second inning, but the Yard Goats responded against Bollinger in the bottom half. Drew Weeks worked a one-out single and took second on a Brandon Bednar single, and consecutive hits by Jones and Metzler produced one run each to tie the score at 2-2.

Amburgey's go-ahead homer in the third, his 16th, gave Trenton the lead for good and put Amburgey in a two-way tie with Jhalan Jackson for the team lead in home runs.

The Thunder added three runs of insurance in the sixth off left-handed reliever Sean Nolin. After consecutive singles by Danienger Perez and Caldwell, a wild pitch put both runners into scoring position, and Perez scored on an errant throw back to the pitcher by catcher Robbie Perkins in between pitches. Brandon Wagner later walked, and along with Caldwell, scored on an Amburgey double to left field, extending Trenton's lead to 7-2.

Trenton left a total of 11 runners on base, matching a season-high.

Your Thunder continue their road trip on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. against the Yard Goats. RHP Nick Nelson (0-2, 6.10) will start for the Thunder, and LHP Evan Grills (3-4, 3.48) will go for Hartford. Pre-game coverage begins at 12:50 p.m. on 920 AM The Jersey or online at TrentonThunder.com/Broadcast.

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