South Jersey Baseball:
Thunder Back in 1st Place Tie with 9-3 Win

Monday, July 4, 2005

By Dan Loney
Trenton Thunder Director of Broadcasting

The Thunder jumped on Portland for five runs in the 1st inning en route to a 9-3 win on Monday night. The win moves Trenton back into a 1st Place tie with the Sea Dogs atop the Northern Division.

The Thunder (45-39) got a leadoff single from CF Colin Porter and he scored, along with Bronson Sardinha, on a two-run double by 1B Shelley Duncan. An RBI double by C Omir Santos made it a 3-0 game, followed by RBI singles by LF Eric Crozier and 2B J.T. Stotts. All of theose runs came off Portland starter Charlie Zink. Zink (5-2) allowed seven runs (six earned) in 4 2/3 innings in the loss.

The Thunder added to their lead in the 5th Inning off Zink with a two-run double by SS Ramiro Pena. Meanwhile, Thunder starter Jeff Karstens worked shutout ball through eight innings for the win. Karstens (8-7) allowed three hits, two to Portland SS Hanley Ramirez, with three walks and six strikeouts.

The Thunder claimed a 9-0 lead on a two-run homer by DH Eric Duncan off Sea Dogs reliever Alex Gonzalez in the 6th Inning. The potential shutout was spoiled in the 9th Inning as the Sea Dogs (43-37) scored three runs against Trenton's Justin Pope.

The Thunder and Portland continue their series on Tuesday at 7:05 PM. Charlie Isaacson (5-2, 2.77) starts for the Thunder against Portland's Jon Lester (5-2, 2.77).