South Jersey Baseball:
Reading Outlasts Trenton, 10-7, in 14 Innings

Tuesday, May 2, 2006

By Dan Loney
Trenton Thunder Director of Public Relations

(Trenton, NJ)- Peter Bergeron's RBI single in the 14th Inning started a three-run uprising as Reading beat the Thunder, 10-7, in 14 Innings at Waterfront Park on Tuesday.

Reading (10-13) loaded the bases against Thunder reliever Michael Brunet with a walk and two singles. Bergeron followed with a RBI single for a 8-7 lead. An error on Thunder 1B Randy Ruiz allowed another run to score. 3B Jesus Merchan capped the inning with a squeeze bunt to score a run for a 10-7 lead. Brunet (0-2) allowed three runs (one earned) in to innings for the loss. Nick Mattioni then retired Trenton (8-15) in order to record his 1st save. The win went to Evan Fahrner (1-2) with three scoreless innings of relief.

The R-Phils jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the 1st Inning, thanks in part to a two-run homer from Bergeron off Thunder starter Jeremy King. But the Thunder responded off Gio Gonzalez with a run in the 2nd Inning and three more in the 3rd Inning, including a two-run homer from 3B Kevin Howard for a 4-3. Tim Moss followed in the fourth with a solo homer to tie the game at 4-4.

Charlie Manning entered for Trenton and pitched 4 1/3 "perfect" innings of relief and set the Thunder up for the go-ahead run in the 7th Inning. Shelley Duncan's sacrifice fly scored Ruiz for a 5-4 lead. Trailing 6-4 in the 9th Inning and with the bases loaded, Reading CF Michael Bourn doubled off Thunder reliever Francisco Butto to score three runs and put the Phillies in front, 7-6. Ruiz came back with a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth off Adam Shafer to tie the game at 7-7.

The series continues on Wednesday night at 7:05 PM. Steven White (1-0, 1.53) starts for Trenton against Reading's Brian Mazone (1-2, 1.73).