Trenton DH Sweep Features Franklin 1,000th Win, Brown Heroics

(Trenton, NJ) - Jose Pirela's walk-off 14th-inning home run gave Manager Tony Franklin his 1,000th career victory and reserve outfielder Shane Brown's RBI hit in the 15th inning won his own game as the Trenton Thunder swept a marathon doubleheader against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 3-2 and 6-5, Saturday night in front of 6,237 fans at Waterfront Park. After a night that featured the Thunder's two longest games of the season, Trenton has now won a season-high six straight games.

Pirela clubbed a high drive down the left field line with one out in the 14th of the opener that was originally ruled a foul ball. But Franklin asked the umpires to reconsider the call, and after a meeting the ball was deemed to be fair, giving Pirela his first long ball of the season and Franklin win #1,000.

In the night cap with all regular pitches exhausted, Brown moved to the mound for the top of the 15th. He struck out a pair of Fisher Cats, and escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam by striking out Mark Sobolewski and retiring Brian Jeroloman on a fly to left.

Then with two on in the bottom of the 15th and two outs, Brown grounded Aaron Loup's (0-2) pitch up the middle into center scoring Kevin Mahoney from second base and setting off a wild celebration.

The Thunder and Fisher Cats are right back at it Sunday at 1:05 pm when they will go for a season-high seventh straight win. Right-hander Adam Miller (0-0, 3.29) is slated to start for Trenton and be opposed by righty Fernando Hernandez (0-2, 2.88). Limited tickets are available by contacting the Thunder box office at 609-394-3300 or online at www.trentonthunder.com.