TRENTON, NJ – The Thunder led 1-0 entering the bottom of the 7th inning, but six runs down the stretch paced a 7-0 shutout victory over the Portland Sea Dogs Friday night.
After Trenton pitching shut down the Sea Dogs through seven, it was the Thunder bats that picked up steam. Greg Bird stroke a double to the right center field wall, just past the outstretched glove of right-fielder Kevin Heller to begin the rally. Two batters later, Eric Jagielo doubled home Bird to double the Thunder lead to 2-0. Two batters after that, it was Mason Williams turn to pad the lead, and his single scored Jagielo for a 3-0 lead. The base hit for Williams extended his hitting streak to seven games which eclipsed his six-game streak from a year ago as his longest in his Double-A career.
In the 8th inning, Jake Cave was retired before seven straight Thunder batters reached, accounting for four runs to blow open a 7-0 advantage. Dante Bichette Jr, had three hits and three RBIs.
In 87 career minor league appearances, Caleb Cotham had not recorded a save, but he entered the 3-0 game and tossed the final two scoreless innings in the victory.
The shutout victory is the first of the season for the Thunder- one year after they had notched 9 shutout victories-, and the team improves to 5-3 overall.
Saturday’s game features free hot dogs for all fans and post-game fireworks. Gates will open at 6:pm with first pitch scheduled for 7. The Thunder will start LHP Caleb Smith (0-1, 5.79) and the Sea Dogs will send RHP Mike McCarthy (0-1, 18.00) to the mound. Thunder baseball can be heard live on 91.3 WTSR and online at Trentonthunder.com beginning at 6:40pm.
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