Trenton Thunder Rip Portland Sea Dogs 6-1 - AA, Eastern League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com – Trenton, NJ – Trenton starter Eric Hacker (3-1) fired seven strong innings on one run, leading the Thunder (50-32) to a 6-1 victory over the Sea Dogs (44-36) in the series opener on Monday night at Waterfront Park. Portland has lost three straight to the Thunder and trail the defending Eastern League Champions by 5 games in the Northern Division.

Dave Gassner (0-4) remains winless for Portland in five starts. The lefty gave up nine hits, four runs (two earned) in 5.2 IP. Gassner allowed two solo homers – Austin Jackson in the 1st inning and Reegie Corona in the sixth. Portland’s bullpen duo of T.J. Large and Daniel Haigwood combined for 2.1 innings of scoreless relief on two hits.

Jackson’s solo homer in the 1st inning gave Trenton and early 1-0 lead but Portland tied the game in the 2nd inning on a run-scoring fielder’s choice by John Otness. The inning began when Sandy Madera was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on Aaron Bates’ double. Hacker hit Jorge Jimenez two batters later but retired 12 of the next 13 batters. The ‘Dogs had back-to-back singles with two
ADVERTISEMENT outs in the sixth but Hacker fanned Bates.

Chris Malec knocked in the go-ahead run in the third inning with a two-out RBI single. Trenton added two runs in the fourth on Carlos Mendoza’s double and a sac-fly by Corona. Gassner yielded a run-scoring double to Gonzalez in the fifth and gave up the final run of the game, Corona’s solo homer in the sixth.

Michael Gardner and Jose Valdez worked scoreless frames in relief for Trenton. Portland went 0-for-3 with runners-in-scoring position and did not have a baserunner reach second base after the sixth inning.

The two teams continue their 4-game series on Tuesday night at Waterfront Park. LHP Kris Johnson (6-3, 3.32) makes his fifth straight road start for Portland. RHP George Kontos (3-7, 3.27) takes to the hill for the first place Thunder. Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 6:40 PM with the Correct Deck Pre-Game Show – First pitch is 7:05 PM.

Notes…Zach Daeges extended his hitting streak to 7 straight games…Bubba Bell has reached base safely in 19 straight games…T.J. Large is scoreless in all four Double-A appearances…RHP Matt Goodson was placed on the disabled list before the game.

 

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