RICHMOND, VA — Miguel Andujar doubled off the wall in left field to score pinch-runner Billy McKinney in the top of the tenth inning and Tyler Jones locked down his ninth save of the season as the Thunder defeated Richmond 5-4 in ten innings on Wednesday night at The Diamond.
With the victory, the Thunder earn their fifth straight win and improve to a franchise-best 33 games above .500. The team improved to 3-5 in extra inning games this season.
In a game that saw the Thunder take leads of 1-0, 3-1, and 4-3, Richmond rallied for the tying run in the bottom half of each frame. Thunder starter Will Carter went 5.1 innings in his fourth start for the Thunder allowing four runs, three earned, on nine hits, three walks and struck out three.
The bullpen combination of Eric Ruth, JP Feyereisen and Jones allowed just four baserunners over the final 4.2 innings of the game.
The Thunder went ahead for good against Squirrels reliever Christian Jones in the tenth inning when Sebastian Valle reached on an error by Ryder Jones to begin the frame. After Mike O’Neill was unable to bunt pinch runner Billy McKinney into scoring position, Tyler Wade drew a walk and Dustin Fowler bounced into a fielder’s choice to put runners on the corners with two out. After a pitching change, Andujar smashed a 1-2 offering from Preston Claiborne off the wall in left field to score McKinney and take the 5-4 lead.
Tyler Jones managed to save the game despite allowing back-to-back singles to begin the inning. Jones has not allowed a run since July 3 a span of 16 innings pitched.
In the victory, Miguel Andujar and Mike Ford each drew three walks and Dustin Fowler doubled twice.
The Thunder go for the sweep against Richmond at 7:05 on Thursday night. RHP Chance Adams will start for the Thunder, the Squirrels will counter with LHP Andrew Suarez. Listen live to Thunder baseball beginning at 6:50pm on 91.3 FM WTSR and online at TrentonThunder.com
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