Sanchez Promoted To Triple-A

Gary Sanchez joins recently promoted Thunder teammates Luis Severino and Aaron Judge in Scranton.

Gary Sanchez has been a highly touted prospect since the Yankees signed him as a free agent teenager out of the Dominican  Republic in 2009. In fact, this is the first season since 2011 that Sanchez has not been ranked in top 100 prospects by Baseball America, MLB.com, and Baseball Prospectus.

Sanchez has appeared to overcome the immaturity that plagued him earlier in his career and recently got on a hot streak at Double-A Trenton. He leaves the Thunder with a slash line of .262/.319/.476 with 12 HR and 36 RBI in 58 games.

The 22-year old's best season came in 2012 when he played for Charleston ('A') and Tampa ('A+'). He produced an .829 OPS with career highs in home runs (18) and RBI (85). There has been speculation that the Yankees may use him as trade bait at the upcoming non-waiver trade deadline.

Trenton Thunder Named Minor League Team of the Year

The Yankees Double-A team, the Trenton Thunder, came out on top in a fan poll for the top minor league baseball team. The team featured some of the top prospects in the organization - catcher Gary Sanchez, pitcher Danny Burawa, and outfielders Mason Williams, Slade Heathcott, and Tyler Austin.

The team also had rehab visits from Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodriguez.

Below is the press release from the Thunder:

(TRENTON, NJ) MiLB.com, the official website of Minor League Baseball, has named the Trenton Thunder, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, "Team of the Year" following a three week online voting period this month. The honor is part of the annual "MiLBY" Awards which are presented by MiLB.com each fall.  

The Thunder were the champions of the Eastern League after earning the East Division Wild Card during the regular season.  Trenton got hot at the end of the year and finished on a nine-game winning streak including sweeps of the first place Binghamton Mets in the Eastern Division Championship and the Western Division Champs, the Harrisburg Senators, to earn the title. Trenton became the first team to sweep both rounds of the EL postseason since 1991. 

The title is the franchise’s third in its 20 seasons in Trenton, all under the watch of Manager Tony Franklin. In Franklin's seven years with the Thunder, he has led them to the EL Championship Series five times.   

MiLBYs are the end-of-season awards that honor the best players, teams and performances of the Minor League season. For three weeks, fans chose their favorites in 13 categories at milb.com. The official website of Minor League Baseball announces Fans' Choice winners as well as MiLB.com staff picks for the major awards.

Trenton is a finalist for two additional MiLBY Awards that will be announced on Thursday, October 31. The Retirement Party for Chase That Golden Thunder is a nominee for "Promotion of the Year" and a tribute video for Chase is up for "Mascot Clip of the Year".  

The Thunder will begin the 2014 season on at home on Thursday, April 3.  Season tickets, group outings, Pic-A-Plans, and Mini Plan renewals are on sale now.  For more information about tickets, fans should call 609-394-3300 or visit trentonthunder.com.

Thunder Bring the Thunder to Capture Eastern League Title

The Trenton Thunder celebrate the Eastern league title

The Trenton Thunder were not supposed to make it past the first round of the Eastern League playoffs. Not only did they advance, but they didn't lose a single game in capturing the third title in their history. The Thunder finished off the Harrisburg Senators 11-4 Thursday night to win the championship for the first time since 2008. (The Thunder's first title came the year before.)

The Yankees Double-A affiliate went up against the Mets' Binghamton squad in the playoffs opening round. The B-Mets won the league's eastern division by 12 games over the second place Thunder and were heavily favored to win the series, but Trenton got hot at the right time.

The Thunder rode a nine game winning streak into the playoffs and never let up. The tone for the series and playoffs was set in the first game of the first round. The Mets scored a pair of runs in the top of the 10th inning to take a 5-3 lead, but the Thunder rallied with two outs in their final at-bat.

Jose Pirela doubled and scored on Gary Sanchez's single. Tyler Austin's infield single moved to pinch-runner Francisco Arcia into scoring position and it paid off when Casey Stevenson singled to tie the game. Ben Gamel brought Austin home with the game winning run with a single of his own to right field.  The Thunder's 2-out, 5-hit rally came against Mets closer Jeff Walters, who saved 38 games during the regular season.

Another nail biter followed in Game 2 with the Thunder's Mikey O'Brien and the Mets' Darin Gorski locked into a 1-1 pitcher's duel. It stayed that way until the 7th inning when Mason Williams reached on a 1-out single and scored the go ahead run on a 2-out double by Ali Castillo.

Tommy Kahnle closed things out for the Thunder in the 9th with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out after Blake Forsythe drew a 2-out walk.

The series moved on to Binghamton where the Mets hoped to get up off the canvas and rally, but the Yankees pitching staff would have none of it. Despite the fact they gave up 11 hits, starter Shane Greene and relievers Pat Venditte, Branden Pinder, Manny Barreda, and Danny Burawa kept the Mets off the scoreboard.

The offense, meanwhile, put two on the board in the 5th inning and another in the 7th. Reegie Corona and Castillo each picked up an RBI in the process. Burawa picked up the final four outs, three by strikeout, to clinch the series.

Harrisburg, Washington's Double-A affiliate and the western division's regular season champs, advanced to the finals in four games by defeating the second place Erie SeaWolves.

Trenton blew Game 1 open with a 5-run 3rd inning and cruised to an 8-2 win. Williams drove in two in the big inning with a single and later added a sacrifice fly. Nik Turley stuck out 10 over six innings to earn the victory.

The Thunder had to rally from 3-1 and 4-3 deficits to capture Game 2. Starter Bryan Mitchell struggled with his control and walked seven Senators, but Francisco Rondon, Burawa, and Kahnle kept Harrisburg in check over the final 3.2 innings.

Down a run in the 7th, Austin and Kyle Roller drew back-to-back 1-out walks from reliever Richie Mirowski. Another clutch hit by Gamel loaded the bases and Corono followed with a single of his own to tie the game at 4-4. Castillo hit a grounder to second baseman Rick Hague, but his only play to was to first base as pinch-runner Stevenson scored the go ahead run.

Harrisburg put two men on in the 9th, but Kahnle retired Billy Goodwin on a fly out and struck out Steven Souza to end the game and earn Rondon the victory. Just like Binghamton, Harrisburg returned home with the hopes of rallying from a 2-0 deficit, but the Thunder quickly put that idea to bed in Game 3.

Down 1-0 in the 3rd inning, the Thunder on a thunderous night back in their home state, scored five times to take control of the game. Senators starter Nathan Karnes put up a 3.26 ERA during the regular season and held opponents to a .224 average, but he wouldn't make it out of the 3rd inning Thursday night.

Like their playoff opening rally, the damage came with two outs. Williams started it with a 1-out single, but things didn't get going until Ramon Flores made the second out of the inning. After Pirela was hit by a pitch, Sanchez tied the game with a ribbie single.  A wild pitch put Trenton ahead 2-1 and Austin followed with an RBI triple.

Gamel's double made it a 4-1 game and the Thunder added another run after Karnes and reliever Matt Swynenberg combined to walk three straight hitters. Castillo and Pirela chipped in with home runs later in the game and the Thunder rolled to an 11-4 victory to give  Greene his second victory of the playoffs.. Pinder allowed an unearned run in the 9th, but with two on and two outs got Jeff Howell to fly out to Williams in center to set off the celebration.

Congratulations to the Thunder - GM/COO Will Smith, manager superba Tony Franklin, coaches Justin Turner, Tommy Phelps, and Luis Dorante, and the entire team and employees.

Grandy Phelps Try To Bring Some Lightning to the Thunder

Curtis Granderson and David Phelps continued their rehab assignments Tuesday night for the Double-A Trenton Thunder.

Phelps was much sharper than his first start for Trenton last week. He allowed a run on three hits over four innings with two walks and six strikeouts.

Meanwhile, Granderson had a triple and a walk in four trips to the plate. The Yankees are hoping that Granderson can join the team next week, maybe even this weekend.

A-Rod Remembers How to Hit Home Runs

(Photo: Bradley C. Bower, AP)

With an upcoming suspension decision by Bud Selig and MLB hanging over his head, Alex Rodriguez continued his rehab from hip surgery Monday night as a member of the Trenton Thunder.

Playing a road series with the Reading Phillies, Lightning-Rod belted the first home run of his comeback trail and also added an infield single. He played seven innings in the field and handled everything that came his way.

But will he be able to handle what Selig has in store for him?

Sending Out An SOS: Yankees Need the Cavalry

Teams lose to other teams. Some of those other teams might not be as good as the losing team. It happens - well Suzyn, you can't predict baseball, etc.  The Yankees lost four straight to the Mets after Thursday night's 3-1 debacle (at least the game was quick) and have dropped five straight overall as they head into a much more important series with the Boston Red Sox this weekend.

Vidal Nuno pitched beautifully for six innings, but allowed a 2-run home run to Marlon Byrd in the early going. That's about one or two runs more than the Yankees can handle these days. The bats are coming back to Earth, which means the Friday arrival of Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis is coming just in the nick of time.

The Mets starter for Thursday night was Dillon Gee. The 27-year old Texan had made 10 starts this season prior to the finale with the Yankees. In those 10 games, Gee allowed less than three earned runs just three times and recorded an out in the 7th inning just once. So tonight Gee and his 6.34 ERA threw 7.1 innings and struck out 12 Yankees. His season high had been six strikeouts, which he accomplished twice. The only blemish on his stat line was a solo home run served up to Robinson Cano.

The Yankees hitting a brick wall was not unexpected; it's about the only thing they can hit right now. There were signs of this earlier in the season, but the lineup bounced back. Not so in the series with their crosstown rivals. So Brian Cashman has some decisions to finalize tonight. With two everyday players returning, room needs to be made on the 25-man roster, and for Teixeira, on the 40-man roster as well.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Cashman was quite frank when he spoke Tuesday to ESPN radio's Don LaGreca concerning the future of first baseman Lyle Overbay. Though the 36-year old has done a marvelous job (The YES Network showed a graphic prior to tonight's game that showed Overbay's numbers after 50 games were very similar to Teixeira's first 50 games in 2012.), his position limitation does not make him an ideal candidate for the everyday roster. Things are even more complicated when you consider Travis Hafner cannot play a position at all.

Letting Overbay go with no return would be a terrible mistake (he certainly would not pass through waivers without being claimed), but he's the logical choice to be removed from the roster.

The second player is likely to be David Adams who has been seeing most of the playing time at third base since he was recalled from Triple-A on May 15. Despite the organization's love of his bat, Adams should be sent back to Scranton to play every day.  Another less likely option would be to get rid of recently acquired Reid Brignac, but the Yankees don't have another infielder besides Jayson Nix that can handle shortstop.

The Yankees also announced that Andy Pettitte would be returning to start Monday's game against Cleveland. Thursday's starter Vidal Nuno would be the logical choice to go back to Scranton.

Millwood Makes Yankees Take Notice

He may have been facing hitters that were little more than half his age, but veteran right-hander Kevin Millwood showed the Yankees something Sunday afternoon by nearly no-hitting the Double-A Harrisburg Senators.

Pitching for the Trenton Thunder, Millwood came within four outs of a no-hitter in the first game of a 7-inning doubleheader. His fastball was clocked at 87-88 mph, which is not out of the ordinary for the 36-yr old. Millwood did walk four batters and struck out three with Yankees' front office utility man Gene Michael in attendance (per Mike Ashmore). The Thunder won 7-0 en route to a split up the twinbill.

What's next for Millwood remains to be seen, but he told John Nalbone, “I think by then (May 1) I should be where I want to get to in terms of pitch count,’’ Millwood said. “I don’t think it should take much longer than that to see where I’m at.’’

Betances Makes Big Debut | Baseball Digest

Got a chance to cover the Trenton Thunder game on Tuesday for Baseball Digest. It was Dellin Betances Double-A debut. Please click the link to read all about it.

Betances Makes Big Debut | Baseball Digest

The Daily Yankeeland - 7/15

Probably going to have to rename this feature, "The Once in a While Yankeeland".

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Aroldis Chapman • chien-ming wang • damaso marte • Eastern League All-Star Game • Ian Snell • jesus montero • Old Timer's Day • Sergio Mitre • Views from the Facade • Yankees News and Notes • Zach McAllister

The Yankees have acknowledged that Damaso Marte does still exist. Watching MLB Network last night, I noticed on the crawl that Marte will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday with the Gulf Coast League Yankees.

The Trenton Thunder host tonight’s Eastern League All-Star game. Thunder team members, and Yankees prospects, Jesus Montero, Zach McAllister, Mike Dunn, Josh Schmidt, Reegie Corona, Eduardo Nunez, and Jorge Vazquez will represent the Northern squad. Trenton manager Tony Franklin will be at the helm of the North along with his coaching staff.

The Yankees begin a 10-game homestand beginning Thursday night with Detroit. After 3 games with the Tigers, the Orioles come to town for 3 before the A’s finish the homestand with a 4-game set. The Tigers series includes Old-Timer’s Day on Sunday, July 19.

When the Chien-Ming Wang’s spot in the rotation comes up, the Yankees will probably go with Sergio Mitre and move Al Aceves back to the pen.

The Yankees will also look elsewhere for a starting pitcher. According to the NY Post, Pittsburgh’s Ian Snell is among those who have piqued the Yankees interest. The Bombers are also looking into Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman.

Montero to Trenton

We mentioned a couple of weeks back that there were rumors of Jesus Montero being promoted to Trenton. It finally came to fruition last night with Montero going from Single-A to Double-A.

Whether permitting, he'll make his Eastern League debut tonight.

Alan Horne Back For Thunder

Received this press release earlier from the Trenton Thunder.

RHP ALAN HORNE ACTIVATED FROM DISABLED LIST
He will start the second game of tonight's doubleheader vs. Bowie

(Trenton, NJ)- The Trenton Thunder, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced that RHP Alan Horne has been activated from the disabled list. Horne will start the second game of tonight's doubleheader vs. Bowie at Waterfront Park.

Horne has started three games for Trenton this season, and is 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA. Horne was placed on the disabled list on May 15 (retroactive to May 13th).

In 2008, Horne made eight starts for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) and went 2-3 with a 5.63 ERA. He was placed on the disabled list twice last season, once from 4/11-6/8 with a biceps strain, and also from 7/2-28 with a cracked fingernail. He also made three starts with Tampa, and had a 0-1 record with a 23.14 ERA. In 2007, Horne was named the Eastern League "Pitcher of the Year". He was 12-4 with a 3.11 ERA in 27 starts for Trenton.

The Marianna, Florida native was drafted in the 11th round of the 2005 draft out of the University of Florida.

Trenton and Bowie continue a five-game series tonight from Waterfront Park with a doubleheader. The first game will start at 6:05 p.m. In the first game, RHP Ryan Pope (2-3, 5.26) will start for Trenton. He will be opposed by Bowie RHP Jake Arietta (4-3, 2.98). In the second game, Horne will start for Trenton against Bowie RHP Pat Egan (0-0, 0.00).

McAllister Grabs EL Pitcher of the Week

Trenton Thunder starter Zach McAllister has been named the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week after 2-0, 0.66 in two starts.

Here's the official press release from the Thunder.

RHP ZACH MCALLISTER NAMED EASTERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK
He went 2-0 with a 0.66 ERA in two starts for Trenton last week

(Trenton, NJ)- The Trenton Thunder, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced that RHP Zach McAllister has been named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending on May 31.

The 6-foot-5 right-hander made a pair of starts for the Thunder last week, and was 2-0 with a 0.66 ERA in 13.2 innings pitched. He also struck out a combined 15 batters in the two starts. McAllister made his first appearance of the week last Tuesday at New Britain, and pitched seven shutout innings to earn the victory in Trenton's 11-0 win. He gave up just four hits and two walks and struck out five Rock Cats hitters in the win.

The Chillicothe, Illinois native also earned a win in his second start of the week in yesterday's game against Altoona. He allowed only one run on five hits in 6 2/3 innings in Trenton's 4-1 win over the Altoona Curve on Sunday afternoon. He struck out a season-high 10 batters. He was the first Trenton pitcher to strike out 10 batters in a game this season.

McAllister has a record of 4-2 in nine starts for the Thunder this season, and is currently ranked third in the league in ERA (1.84). In 2008, McAllister appeared in 25 combined games between Charleston (Low-A) and Tampa (High-A), and posted a combined 14-9 record with a 2.09 ERA. He struck out 115 in 151 innings on the season. The former All-State pitcher at Illinois Valley Central High School was selected by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 2006 draft.

Trenton Thunder Blood Drive

Received this press release from the Thunder earlier today. Great idea.

BIG PRIZES FOR LUCKY BLOOD DONORS

Team Partners With Community Blood Council of NJ To Offer Prize Pack Worth $1,200 To A Pair Of Lucky Donors

(Trenton, NJ) The Trenton Thunder, Double A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and the Community Blood Council of New Jersey have announced a partnership that features a pair of blood drives at Waterfront Park this summer where lucky donors will win prize packs valued at $1,200 each.

The Community Blood Council "Blood Mobile" will be stationed at Waterfront Park on June 13 and August 8 from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM. One lucky donor from each drive will win a "Summer Entertainment Prize Pack" that includes Thunder tickets, passes to area amusement parks and restaurant gift cards totaling $1,200 in value.

Prize Pack for June 13: · 2 Half Season Tickets for 2009 (20 games)

· 4 Six Flags Passes
· 4 Sesame Place Passes
· $20 in On the Border Gift Certificates
· $20 in Bird Bucks to Red Robin

· Thunder T-Shirt

Prize Pack for August 8:

· 2 Half Season Tickets for 2010
· 4 Six Flags Passes (good for 2009 only)
· 4 Sesame Place Passes (good for 2009 only)
· $20 in On the Border Gift Certificates
· $20 in Bird Bucks to Red Robin

· Thunder T-Shirt

While the exact odds of winning the prize pack are impossible to determine, the goal of each blood drive is 30 submissions. In addition, all donors will receive a Trenton Thunder coupon good for $5 off a club level seat. Thunder staff, interns and the staff of Food Service America are encouraged to participate in the blood drive, but are not eligible for the prize raffle. The prizes are courtesy of the Trenton Thunder and are non-transferable.

The Thunder take on the Binghamton Mets in a separate admission Double-Header on June 13. The first game begins at 1:05 PM and will feature a Joba Chamberlain Replica Jersey giveaway for the first 1,500 fans ages 5 to 15 thanks to TD Bank. The second game starts at 7:05 PM and will feature post-game fireworks. Fans should note, that the blood drive begins at 2:00 PM that day.

On August 8, the Thunder will take on the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals). There will be post-game fireworks thanks to UTZ Quality Snacks.

Fans are encouraged to contact the Community Blood Council, 609.883.9750, in advance to schedule a time for their donation.

The Community Blood Council of New Jersey, Inc. has been providing blood support in this region for 40 years. They are a non-profit, governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees. CBCNJ is licensed as a community blood bank by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (#0137) and the Food & Drug Administration (#1247).

The Thunder have announced that all kids will eat for free at Waterfront Park all season long. All children with a ticket, ages 12 and under, will receive a voucher upon entering the ballpark good for a free hot dog, bag of potato chips, and a 12 oz. fountain soda at all 71 Thunder home games this season.

The Thunder are the only team in Minor League Baseball history at the Double A Level or below to draw over 400,000 fans for 14 consecutive seasons and have drawn over 6 million in attendance in its 15-year history.

Thunder Lose in Perfect Game

AKRON RHP JEANMAR GOMEZ PITCHES PERFECT GAME IN AKRON'S 3-0 WIN OVER TRENTON

Akron 3 8 0
Trenton 0 0 2


WP- Jeanmar Gomez (4-0)
LP- Zach McAllister (2-2)
SV-
Time- 2:12
Att- 6,344

(Trenton, NJ)- Akron RHP Jeanmar Gomez pitched the first-ever nine-inning perfect game in the history of Waterfront Park to lead the Aeros past Trenton 3-0 on Thursday afternoon at Waterfront Park. No Thunder pitcher, or an opposing pitcher, had ever pitched a nine-inning perfect game in Trenton's franchise history.

Gomez (4-0) struck out eight, including five of the final eight batters that he faced. Trenton Catcher Jose Gil was robbed of a base hit by Akron Third baseman Jared Geodert on a line drive down the third base line in the third inning. Akron Left fielder Matt McBride made a diving catch on a sinking line drive off the bat of Trenton First baseman Kevin Smith to lead off the ninth inning. The final out was recorded on a fly out by Second baseman Justin Snyder. Gomez has now allowed just one run in 29 innings for Akron over four starts. The last no-hitter at Waterfront Park was tossed by former Thunder RHP Brett Smith on July 4th, 2007. Smith tossed a rain-shortened five-inning no-hitter in a 10-0 Trenton win over Altoona.

Akron (29-9) scored two runs in the third inning to take a 2-0 lead. Shortstop Carlos Rivero led off the inning with a single against Trenton Starting Pitcher Zach McAllister (2-2). Rivero advanced to third base on a double by First baseman Beau Mills. Designated Hitter Carlos Santana followed with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 1-0. With two outs in the frame, Left fielder Matt McBride reached on an error by Trenton Third baseman Marcos Vechionacci allowing Mills to score from third base. The Aeros tacked on a run in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Rivero to increase the lead to 3-0.

McAllister (2-2) scattered six hits and two runs (one earned) over six innings. He struck out five and walked one. Thunder Reliever Michael Dunn came on for McAllister and allowed one run over three innings.

Trenton starts a seven-game road trip on Friday night at New Hampshire. The Thunder play the first of four games on the road trip against the Fisher Cats (Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays). RHP Ivan Nova (2-2, 4.13) will start for the Thunder against New Hampshire RHP Rey Gonzalez (2-1, 1.84) Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m on Friday night from Merchantsauto.com Stadium.

BOXSCORE

Christian Garcia Activated

Good news for another Yankees pitching prospect. We received a press release from the Trenton Thunder that Christian Garcia has been activated from the DL and will pitch for the first time in the regular season this evening.

(Trenton, NJ)- The Trenton Thunder, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced that RHP Christian Garcia has been activated from the Disabled List and will start for the Thunder on Wednesday night against the Akron Aeros (Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians).

Garcia has not yet appeared in a game this season. In 2008, Garcia started the season with Tampa and made 10 starts. He had a 4-2 record and a 2.90 ERA. The Miami, Florida native was called up to Trenton and made one regular season appearance for the Thunder. He tossed 5 1/3 innings, and gave up four hits and two earned runs on September 1st against Connecticut. He made one post-season start for the Thunder, and allowed six hits and four runs in four innings. He received a no-decision at Akron (9/10) in the second game of the Eastern League Championship Series. He also appearaed in three games for the GCL Yankees, and was 0-2 with a 14.73 ERA.

Garcia missed the entire 2007 season after recovering from Tommy John Surgery. He was selected in the 3rd round of the 2004 draft out of Gulliver Prep HS in Miami, Florida.

Trenton continues a three-game series against the Akron Aeros (Double-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians) tonight at Waterfront Park. Garcia (0-0, 0.00) will start for the Thunder against Akron RHP Hector Rondon (5-1, 1.95). Game time is set for 7:05 pm. To purchase tickets call 609-394-3300 or order online at www.trentonthunder.com

Alan Horne DLed

The road back to prospect has another detour to the disabled list for Alan Horne. The good news is that it's not arm related. Horne, who had gotten off to a rough start at Trenton (0-2, 7.71) is sidelined by an injured hamstring.

Horne started the season at Single-A Tampa and was promoted to the Thunder on April 30.

Edwar Gonzalez doubles Thunder's fun

That headline makes no sense, but who cares. We just like the way Edwar Gonzalez hits. He had the game winning 2-run double (now you get it?) hit in last night's Trenton Thunder victory over the Harrisburg Senators.

Here's the Thunder's account of the 5-2 victory.

Harrisburg 2 6 0
Trenton 5 12 0

WP- Kanekoa Texeira (1-0)
LP- Luis Atilano (0-1)
SV- Michael Dunn (1)
Time- 2:49
Att- 3,459

(Trenton, NJ)- Trenton pounded out a season-high 12 hits, and received a quality Double-A debut start from RHP Ryan Pope en route to a 5-2 win over Harrisburg on Monday night from Waterfront Park.

Down 2-1 in the third inning, Trenton (2-2) rallied with two runs to take the lead. Second baseman Reegie Corona led off with a single against Harrisburg (1-3) Starting Pitcher Luis Atilano (0-1). After a double by Left fielder Colin Curts, Right Edwar Gonzalez followed with a two-run double to give the Thunder a 3-2 lead. The Thunder padded the lead with two runs in the fourth inning. Designated hitter Chris Malec led off the frame with a lead-off single. First baseman Kevin Smith drove Malec home with an opposite-field RBI double to increase the lead to 4-2. Later in the frame, Curtis connected on an RBI single to make it 5-2. Trenton tagged Atilano for 11 hits and five runs in 3 1/3 innings. Curtis reached base four of five times at the plate in the game. He finished the contest 2 x 3 with a double, single, two runs, RBI, and two walks.

Pope went 4 2/3 innings and yielded only four hits and two runs. He struck out five and walked two. He was one out short of qualifying for the victory. The only blemish for Pope was a two-run double by Harrisburg First baseman Bill Rhinehart in the second inning. Trenton's bullpen tossed 4 1/3 shutout innings. RHP Kanekoa Texeira (1-0) struck out three in 2 1/3 innings to pick up the win. LHP Michael Dunn picked up his first save of the season with two shutout innings. He struck out four.

The middle game of the three-game series is on Tuesday night. RHP Eric Hacker (0-0, 1.69) will start for Trenton against Harrisburg LHP Mike O'Connor (0-0, 4.50). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

BOXSCORE

Thunder capture 1st win in marathon

It took 14 innings, but the Trenton Thunder won their first game of the season last night, 5-4 over the Binghamton Mets.

Here's the recap from the Thunder press release.

Binghamton 4 12 3
Trenton 5 10 4
(14 innings)

WP- Josh Schmidt (1-0)
LP- Nick Abel (0-1)
SV-
Time- 4:42
Att- 3,407

(Trenton, NJ)- Trenton Third baseman Marcos Vechionacci connected on the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 14th to lift Trenton to a 5-4 win over Binghamton on Thursday night from Waterfront Park. It was the first 14-inning game for Trenton since August 26, 2007 (3-2 loss to Binghamton).

In the 14th inning, Trenton Shortstop Eduardo Nunez led off with a walk against Binghamton reliever Nick Abel (0-1). After a sacrifice bunt by Trenton second baseman Reegie Corona, Left fielder Colin Curtis was intentionally walked. Right fielder Edwar Gonzalez then walked to load the bases. Vechionacci followed with the game-winning single to plate Nunez with the winning run. Nunez finished the game with three hits and three runs scored. Trenton Reliever Josh Schmidt (1-0) picked up the win with two shutout innings of relief.

Binghamton (0-1) took a 4-3 lead in the 12th inning, before Trenton tied the game in the bottom half of the frame. Gonzalez was hit by a pitch to force home the tying run. Earlier, Trenton (1-1) tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs, and Trenton Pinch-runner Justin Snyder at second base, Corona connected on an infield single. Snyder moved to third on the hit, and advanced home on an error by Binghamton Second baseman Matt Bouchard.

Trenton jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Trenton Right fielder Edwar Gonzalez lifted a sacrifice fly RBI which scored Thunder Shortstop Eduardo Nunez from third base. After Binghamton tied the game in the second inning on an RBI single by Designated Hitter Carl Loadenthal, Trenton re-captured the lead on an RBI single by Nunez off of Binghamton Starting Pitcher Dylan Owen. Binghamton tied the game in the fifth inning on an RBI double by Third baseman Shawn Bowman. Binghamton took a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning on a solo home run by Right fielder Caleb Stewart.

Owen yielded only three hits and two runs over five innings to pick up the win. Trenton Starting Pitcher George Kontos tossed five innings and allowed seven hits and two runs. He received a no-decision. Kontos also struck out seven and only walked one. Trenton Reliever Jose Valdez struck out four batters in the 10th inning. Trenton's pitching staff struck out 18 Binghamton batters in the game.


Trenton and Binghamton will play the third game of the four-game series on Friday night at Waterfront Park. RHP Zach McAllister (0-0, 0.00) will start for Trenton against Binghamton RHP Jose Sanchez (0-0, 0.00). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

Thunder Fare no Better than the Big Boys

The Yankees Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder, had their Eastern League season opener tonight and came out on the short end of a 5-3 game.

Be sure to read Mike Ashmore's Thunder Thoughts for much more on the Trenton Thunder. Mike has some great interviews from the Thunder's media day.

Here's the official recap:

THUNDER DROP OPENER TO BINGHAMTON 5-3

Hacker sharp in no-decision

Binghamton 5 13 0
Trenton 3 8 2

WP- Eric Brown (1-0)
LP- Michael Dunn (0-1)
SV- Roydrick Merritt (1)
Time- 3:05
Att- 5,837

(Trenton, NJ)- Binghamton scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning, and five un-answered runs, to defeat Trenton 5-3 on Wednesday night from Waterfront Park. Trenton has now dropped five straight regular season openers.

With the game tied 3-3 in the ninth inning, Binghamton Designated Hitter Caleb Stewart led off the frame with a double against Trenton reliever Michael Dunn (0-1). Binghamton Right fielder Carl Loadenthal followed with a single and advanced to second base on an error by Trenton Left fielder Colin Curtis to put runners at second and third base with no outs. Binghamton Center fielder Emmanuel Garcia then singled home Stewart to give Binghamton a 4-3 lead. Binghamton Catcher Josh Thole later singled home another run to increase the lead to 5-3. Binghamton closer Roydrick Merritt tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning to notch the save for the Mets. Binghamton Reliever Eric Brown (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. Binghamton's bullpen gave up only one hit in 4 1/3 innings. Trenton reliever Michael Dunn (0-1) took the loss even though he struck out five in two innings.

Trenton (0-1) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning. With Curtis at third base and one out, Trenton Third baseman Marcos Vechionacci delivered an RBI single to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Trenton Designated hitter Chris Malec and First baseman Kevin Smith collected RBI hits to tally the other two runs in the inning. Binghamton (0-1) scored a run in the sixth and two in the seventh inning to tie the game at 3-3. Binghamton Shortstop Ruben Tejada had an RBI single in the sixth and seventh.

Trenton Starting Pitcher Eric Hacker picked up a no-decision. He gave up one run and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked one. Binghamton Starting Pitcher Mike Antonini also receved a no-decision. He allowed three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Trenton will look to bounce back on Thursday night in the the second game of the four-game series. RHP George Kontos (0-0, 0.00) will start for Trenton against Binghamton RHP Dylan Owen (0-0, 0.00). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

BOXSCORE

Trenton Thunder Roster Set

We just received a press release from the Trenton Thunder with their season opening roster. Here it is.

Staff
Manager: Tony Franklin
Pitching Coach: Tommy Phelps
Hitting Coach: Frank Menenchino


Pitchers
Wil Arias
Mike Dunn
Eric Hacker
George Kontos
Zach McAllister
Ivan Nova
Ryan Pope
Josh Schmidt
Kanekoa Texeira
Jose Valdez
Kevin Whelan
Eric Wordekemper

Catchers
Kyle Anson
Francisco Cervelli
Jose Gil

Infielders
Reegie Corona
Chris Malec
Carlos Mendoza
Eduardo Nunez
Kevin Smith
Justin Snyder
Marcos Vechionacci

Outfielders
James Cooper
Colin Curtis
Seth Fortenberry
Edwar Gonzalez


A couple of surprises here. We thought George Kontos would be in Scranton. Our guess is that Kei Igawa is basically blocking his path at the moment. Also thought despite his below average year, Mitch Hilligoss would be in Trenton. Francisco Cervelli should also be up at Scranton at some point.