South Jersey Baseball:
Thunder Rally in 7th Inning for Win over Curve

Saturday, May 7, 2005

By Dan Loney
Trenton Thunder Director of Broadcasting

Melky Cabrera's two-run single capped a four-run Thunder rally in a 5-2 win over the Altoona Curve on Saturday afternoon. The win was the fourth in a row for Trenton (15-15).

The Thunder grabbed the early lead on an Eric Verbryke RBI single in the 2nd Inning, but Curve starter Hansel Izquierdo kept Trenton in check. He allowed one run in six innings and left the game with a 2-1 lead. Izquierdo walked two and struck out three.

Altoona (13-13) scored single runs in the 5th and 6th Innings off Thunder reliever Eduardo Sierra. Starter Jon Skaggs left the game after four innings due to a mild hamstring strain. The Curve tied the game at 2-2 on an RBI single by RF Jorge Cortes and took the lead thanks to an RBI triple by 2B Craig Stansberry.

Trenton loaded the bases in the 7th Inning against Altoona reliever James Johnson on two hits and a walk. LF Kevin Thompson plated the tying run on a sacrifice fly. It became a 3-2 Thunder lead when Johnson uncorked a wild pitch that allowed RF Bronson Sardinha to score. Cabrera followed with his two-run single to claim a 5-2 advantage.

Trenton turned the game over to Justin Pope, who recorded a perfect 8th and 9th Inning for his 7th save of the year.

The series finale is Sunday at 1:35 PM. Matt Smith (1-2, 4.08) starts for Trenton against Altoona's Paul Stewart (3-1, 1.57).