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EL1 Trenton Thunder

Trenton Rally Comes Up Just Short In 7-6 Loss To New Britain

May 2, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


(New Britain, CT)- New Britain Starting Pitcher Jeff Manship allowed just one hit in seven innings to lead the Rock Cats past the Thunder 7-6 on Saturday night from New Britain Stadium. Down 7-0, Trenton scored four runs in the eighth, and two in the ninth, but came up one run short.

New Britain (10-11) took a 1-0 lead off of Trenton Starting Pitcher Alan Horne (0-1) in the first inning. With one out in the frame, Left fielder Juan Portes walked and advanced to third base on a double by Right fielder Rene Tosoni. Portes scored on an RBI groundout by Third baseman Danny Valencia. The Rock Cats increased the lead to 2-0 in the second inning when Center fielder Brandon Roberts was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force home a run. New Britain added two more runs in the third inning on RBI singles by Designated hitter Matt Moses and Second baseman Brian Dinkleman.

Horne, in his season-debut, went 3 2/3 innings and yielded six hits and four runs (three earned) to take the loss. Manship (2-2) only allowed two Trenton base runners to reach, and one one hit. He struck out five and walked one. He retired the first nine batters he faced, and the last 11 he faced. It was the second straight victory for Manship against the Thunder.

New Britain scored three runs in the seventh inning to take a 7-0 lead. First baseman Whit Robbins led off the seventh inning with a solo home run off of Trenton Reliever Noel Castillo. Later in the frame, Brandon Roberts connected on a two-run double off of Castillo.

Trenton (9-11) scored four runs in the eighth inning. Catcher Francisco Cervelli and Center Fielder Seth Fortenberry led off the inning with back-to-back walks off of New Britain Reliever Zach Ward. First baseman Kevin Smith followed with an RBI double to plate Cervelli. Right fielder James Cooper then drilled two-run double to cut the New Britain lead to 7-3. Trenton scored its final run of the frame on an RBI ground out by Second baseman Justin Snyder. Trenton tallied two runs in the ninth inning off of New Britain Reliever Anthony Slama. After Left fielder Colin Curtis led off the inning with a walk, Third baseman Marcos Vechionacci belted a two-run home run to right field to slice the New Britain lead to 7-6. But, Slama would eventually strand the tying run at first base to pick up his third save of the season.

Trenton and New Britain play the final game of the three-game series on Sunday afternoon. RHP George Kontos (1-1, 2.66) will start for Trenton against New Britain RHP Jay Rainville (1-1, 3.00). Game time is set for 1:35 p.m.

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