South Jersey Baseball:
Thunder Errors Costly in 2-1 Loss

Friday, June 10, 2005

By Dan Loney
Trenton Thunder Director of Broadcasting

New Britain took advantage of two Thunder errors in the 6th Inning to score a pair runs and beat the Thunder, 2-1, on Friday night in Eastern League play.

Trenton (31-29) took a 1-0 lead in the 6th Inning against New Britain starter Francisco Liriano. Kevin Thompson led off with a double, but was picked off 2nd Base. After a two-out walk to Thunder CF Melky Cabrera, a balk by Liriano moved Cabrera to 2nd Base. 1B Shelley Duncan followed with an RBI single for the lead.

But New Britain (24-35) came back with their runs in the bottom half. 2B Brett Pattee reached on a throwing error by S. Duncan and scored one batter later on a double by DH Dan Matienzo to tie the game. After the tying run scored, Thunder C Jason Brown tried to pickoff Matienzo around 2nd Base with Cabrera coming in to 2nd Base to cover, but the throw went into centerfield and allowed Matienzo to score.

Thunder starter Jon Skaggs (2-5) took the loss, allowing two unearned runs on four hits in six innings. He walked three and struckout four. Charlie Manning kept the Thunder close with two shutout innings of relief.

Meanwhile, Liriano (3-5) got the win allowing one run on five hits in six innings. Lefty Jason Miller followed with three perfect innings of relief for his 3rd save.

The series continues on Saturday at 6:35 PM. RHP Aaron Small will join the Thunder tommorow and make his Trenton debut. He will start against New Britain's Colby Miller (2-4, 2.50).