Higashioka's Late Blast Boosts Thunder to 3-2 Win

Kyle Higashioka's 8th inning solo home run broke a 2-2 tie and Jonathan Holder locked down his tenth save of the season as the Thunder beat Portland, 3-2, on Tuesday night at ARM & HAMMER Park.

The Thunder grabbed an early 2-0 lead on Portland with a bases loaded walk from Higashioka and a run-scoring fielder's choice from Mark Payton in the bottom of the first inning.

Ronald Herrera held the Sea Dogs off the board until the sixth inning when Mauricio Dubon walked and Andrew Benintende tripled to center to cut the lead in half. Nate Freiman followed with a run-scoring single through a drawn-in infield to tie the game at two.

Tyler Jones delivered two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to keep the game tied and allow for Higashioka's heroics.

Higashioka stepped to the plate with one out in the eighth against Williams Jerez and lined a 1-2 offering over the wall in left for his 11th home run of the season with the Thunder. Overall, Higashioka has a career-best 16 home runs this season and is second on the team 46 RBI's.

Jonathan Holder struck out a pair in the ninth inning to record his tenth save of the season. In 41 innings, Holder has struck out 59 batters and allowed just 10 runs.

Your Thunder continue look to take the series on Wednesday morning at 11am against the Sea Dogs. RHP Vicente Campos will start for the Thunder, RHP Kevin McAvoy will go for Portland. Tickets are available by phone at 609-394-3300 or online at TrentonThunder.com.