EL1 Trenton Thunder

Thunder Use 11-Run Fourth to Salvage Split with New Hampshire

Published on April 6, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


TRENTON, NJ - The Thunder used an 11-run fourth inning to earn a split of their four game series with New Hampshire, defeating the Fisher Cats 11-5 on Sunday afternoon.

After each starting pitcher cruised through the first three innings, New Hampshire touched up Thunder starter Joel De La Cruz for three runs in the top of the fourth. With runners on first and second, leftfielder Ryan Schimpf doubled off the wall in right-center and scored on the play thanks to a throwing error by Dan Fiorito.

The Thunder wasted no time responding to New Hampshire's three-run frame. Rob Segedin drew Trenton within one with a two-run home run off the foul pole in left. Later in the inning, Yeral Sanchez drove in Gary Sanchez with a double and Francisco Arcia followed him with a two-run triple. After an error on Fisher Cat shortstop Peter Mooney, Ali Castillo doubled in another to chase starter Scott Copeland from the game after just three and a third innings.

Trenton kept the inning alive by drawing a pair of walks against reliever John Anderson to set up Gary Sanchez's second at-bat of the inning. Sanchez hammered a 2-0 delivery over the wall in left-center for the team's second home run of the inning and first grand slam of the season. It was the fifth extra base hit of the inning for Trenton.

It was the first time the Thunder hit two home runs in the same inning since they did it on August 28, 2012 against New Britain. The 11 runs scored was the most in an inning by Trenton since they scored 12 times in the third inning on August 19, 2004 against Portland.

Right-hander Joel De La Cruz earned the victory in his double-A debut. De La Cruz held New Hampshire to five runs, four earned, on four hits and two walks over six and a third innings.

Each Thunder starter scored a run in the game and each starter except Mason Williams and Dan Fiorito recorded a hit in the game.

The Thunder will welcome the Portland Sea Dog to ARM & HAMMER Park for a three-game series beginning on Monday. The Thunder send LHP Matt Tracy (NR) to the mound, Portland will counter with RHP Mike McCarthy (NR). First pitch will be thrown at 7:05. The first 2,000 fans, through the gate on Monday will receive a Magnetic Schedule presented by Mercer County Improvement Authority.

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Eastern League Stories from April 6, 2014


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