EL1 Trenton Thunder

Thunder Thrashed by Goats in Series Finale

Published on August 4, 2019 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


HARTFORD, Conn. - Seven Hartford runs over the first two innings set the tone early Sunday evening for the Thunder, who fell to the Yard Goats, 13-7, at Dunkin' Donuts Park.

Michael King (0-1) struggled out of the gate for the Thunder (21-25, 59-53), needing 30 pitches to complete a three-run first inning that saw eight Hartford batters come to the plate. The Yard Goats (19-24, 56-54) sent eight men to the plate in the second inning as well, plating four more runs for a 7-0 lead.

King rebounded for a clean third inning, but struggled again in the fourth, surrendering a two-run homer to Tyler Nevin and a single to Luis Castro before departing with none out. James Reeves entered in relief, allowing the inherited runner to score on a sac fly and gave up an RBI-groundout. At the end of the inning, Reeves was ejected for arguing balls and strikes while leaving the mound, and Thunder pitching coach Tim Norton was tossed on similar grounds in the bottom of the fifth.

King's 10 runs allowed were a career-high, as the right-hander allowed 10 hits and threw 76 pitches through his four-plus innings.

Isiah Gilliam had given the Thunder their first run of the game in the top of the fourth, clearing the upper deck in right field with a solo homer off Hartford starter Matt Dennis (3-2).

Trailing 13-1 entering the seventh inning, the Thunder rallied for four runs in the seventh off relievers Justin Lawrence and Mitch Horacek. The Thunder sent 10 batters to the plate and collected four hits, two walks and a hit batter, cutting Hartford's lead to 13-5.

The Thunder closed the deficit to 13-7 in the eighth against Horacek, as Max Burt scored on a wild pitch and Ben Ruta delivered a sacrifice fly. But former Thunder right-hander Jordan Foley tossed a scoreless ninth to give the Yard Goats the series victory.

Burt and Hoy Jun Park led the Thunder with two hits apiece, while Ruta and Gilliam led the way with two RBI each. Alan Trejo led the Hartford onslaught, going 4-for-5 with four RBI, including a two-run homer in the fifth. The total of 15 hits allowed were just two shy of the Thunder's season-high.

Your Thunder return home on Tuesday to open a series against the Bowie Baysox at 7 p.m. RHP Nick Green (2-3, 7.91) will start for the Thunder, and LHP Zac Lowther (11-5, 2.62) will go for Bowie. Pregame coverage begins at 6:40 p.m. on 920 AM The Jersey or online at TrentonThunder.com/Broadcast.

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Eastern League Stories from August 4, 2019


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