South Jersey Baseball:
Thunder Use Seven Extra-Base Hits to Down Erie, 11-2

Tuesday, June 7, 2005

By Dan Loney
Trenton Thunder Director of Broadcasting

Ramon Ramirez tossed six shutout innings, while Shelley Duncan added three hits and Kevin Thompson collected three RBI, as Trenton beat Erie, 11-2, on Tuesday night. The win is the fourth straight for the Thunder.

In picking up the win, Trenton (30-27) collected seven doubles and have 31 extra-base hits in their last four games. It is the first time since June 5-7, 2001 that the Thunder scored at least 10 runs in three striaght games. They scored their first two runs in the 2nd Inning on a ground out and fielder's choice against Erie starter Jeremy Johnson.

Then the Thunder tagged him for five runs in the 4th Inning. Trenton loaded the bases on a double and two walks. A third walk, to SS Andy Cannizaro, forced in a run to give the Thunder a 3-0 lead. C Omir Santos followed with a two-run double for a 5-0 lead. A two-run single by LF Kevin Thompson gave them a 7-0 lead. Johnson (4-3) allowed seven runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Meanwhile, Ramon Ramirez worked out of some early jams to work six shutout innings for the win. Erie (31-27) left ten runners on base in the six innings against Ramirez, including leaving the bases loaded in the 1st and 6th Innings. Ramirez (2-2) allowed six hits with five walks and eight strikeouts.

The Thunder got two hits and three RBI from Kevin Thompson, three hits and two runs scored from Shelley Duncan, three RBI from Santos and two RBI from Cannizaro.

The series continues on Wednesday at 7:05 PM. Jeff Karstens (6-4, 3.76) starts for the Thunder against Erie's Virgil Vasquez (1-2, 4.50).