Another Pirela Walk-Off Gives Trenton 6th Straight Win

(Trenton, NJ) - Kevin Mahoney's two-run eighth-inning home run tied the game and Jose Pirela's sacrifice fly in the 11th won it as the Trenton Thunder topped the Altoona Curve, 4-3, Wednesday night at Waterfront Park in front of 4,084 fans for the team's season-high-matching sixth consecutive victory. Pirela collected his fourth extra-inning walk-off this season as Trenton (66-44) continued to improve upon its best record since the end of the 2010 season and won its tenth-straight one-run contest.

With the Thunder trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth with one out, Luke Murton doubled against reliever Jeff Inman. Mahoney followed with his ninth home run of the season, a long drive just below the video board in right center that tied the score.

It would remain tied until the 11th thanks to solid relief pitching from Trenton's Jon Meloan (two innings) and Graham Stoneburner (3-0, one inning) and Altoona's Vic Black (two innings six strikeouts). Nathan Baker (3-7) entered in the bottom of the 11th and walked leadoff batter Rob Segedin.

Jose Gil followed Segedin with a sacrifice bunt and with Pirela batting Baker uncorked a wild pitch that advanced Segedin to third. Pirela swung at the next pitch and lifted a fly to deep left center field, easily scoring the winning run. The Thunder have from behind in the seventh inning or later to win in each of their last three games.

The Thunder and Curve conclude the three-game series Thursday afternoon, as Trenton tries for a 7-1 homestand with first pitch scheduled for 12:05 pm. Right-hander Dellin Betances (1-1, 4.15) is expected to start for Trenton while Altoona counters with righty Brandon Cumpton (10-8, 3.32). Limited tickets are available by contacting the Thunder box office at 609-394-3300 or online at www.trentonthunder.com. Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and also streaming online begins at 11:45 am.