Ruth Left Sens Bats at a Loss in 5-2 Win

TRENTON, NJ -- Eric Ruth fired six shutout innings and Gary Sanchez drove in three as the Thunder defeated the Harrisburg Senators 5-2 on Thursday night at ARM & HAMMER Park.

After Ruth threw a scoreless top of the first, the Thunder offense went to work early on Senators starter Paolo Espino (L, 0-3). Jake Cave and Ali Castillo singled and Aaron Judge walked to load the bases. With one out, Gary Sanchez doubled off the wall in center and moved to third on the relay throw home to take a 3-0 lead. Mason Williams then reached on a fielder's choice dribbler up the first base line, on which Sanchez aggressively broke for home plate and just beat the throw for a 4-0 lead.

Ruth settled in and surrendered only three hits and four walks in his six innings. The right-hander recorded the fourth quality start of the season in 34 games and threw 96 pitches, 59 for strikes. The outing stretch the scoreless streak for Ruth to 11.2 innings, and lowered his season ERA with the Thunder to 2.93 after he had allowed five runs in his first 3.2 IP this season.

The Thunder added to their lead in the bottom of the seventh when Aaron Judge drove in Ali Castillo with a line drive to left. Judge extended his hitting streak to 13 games with the single and leads the Eastern League with 43 hits on the season.

The victory gives Trenton its fourth win in the last five games, including three-in-a-row for the third time this season. The win also improves the Thunder to 17-17 on the season, which is the first time the team has been at least .500 on the season since May 2nd.

Tomorrow's ballgame between the Thunder and Senators is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. first pitch with both starting pitchers TBA. The first 1,500 fans 6+ through the turnstiles will receive Trenton Thunder Team Card Sets courtesy of Verizon Wireless.