South Jersey Baseball:
Thunder Wins Sixth Game in a Row

Sunday, April 24, 2005

By Dan Loney
Trenton Thunder Director of Broadcasting

Matt DeSalvo and two relievers combined on a three-hitter as the Thunder completed a four-game sweep of New Britain in a 5-0 win on Sunday afternoon. The win was the sixth in a row for Trenton (9-9).

Desalvo (1-0) tossed 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball to earn the victory. He allowed just two hits and struck out six, but did walk five batters on the afternoon. Matt Smith came on to work 1 1/3 innings scoreless. Ben Julianel finished up with two scoreless innings. Thunder pitchers held the Rock Cats (7-10) to three runs and 20 hits in the four-game series, and have now allowed just three runs in their last 39 innings.

The offense kicked into gear in the 2nd Inning. CF Melky Cabrera doubled with two outs off New Britain starter Justin Olson. That was followed by an RBI single from C Omir Santos for a 1-0 lead. 3B Eric Duncan added a solo homer, his first of the season, in the 4th Inning to make it a 2-0 game.

Trenton added three more runs in the 5th Inning, aided by three walks and two errors. SS Andy Cannizaro collected an RBI single in the inning, and later scored on a errant pickoff throw by reliever Brian Wolfe. Olson (1-2) took the loss charged with five runs (two earned) in 4 2/3 innings. He allowed six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

The Thunder will enjoy Monday off before a three-game series with Norwich starts on Tuesday. Jon Skaggs (0-1, 6.08) goes for Trenton in the opener against Norwich's Chris Begg (0-2, 2.70). Game time is 7:05 PM.