9th Inning Triple is Game-Winner for Thunder

MANCHESTER, NH - Taylor Dugas laced a triple up the right-centerfield gap in the top of the 9th to score Yeral Sanchez from first base in the Trenton Thunder's 2-1 series-opening win against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

The Thunder and Fisher Cats traded scoreless innings until the top of the 7th inning when Yeral Sanchez singled with one out off newly-inserted reliever Richard Bleier. Sanchez advanced to second base on a wild pitch and then moved to third base with two outs when Dugas grounded to second base. The next batter was Ali Castillo who struck out, but the pitch got away from New Hampshire catcher A.J. Jimenez for a wild pitch and allowed Sanchez to score for a 1-0 lead.

After the Fisher Cats tied it on an unearned run in the bottom of the 8th inning, Trenton called upon Dugas to provide the game-winning hit. With one out and the bases empty, Sanchez ripped a single at the first baseman Mike McDade, who knocked down the baseball but couldn't make the play to allow Sanchez to reach with an infield single. That set the table for Dugas' winning hit which moved the Thunder to a season-best six games over .500.

Thunder starting pitcher Zach Nuding got the no-decision, despite throwing 5.2 shutout innings with only four hits surrendered. He turned the ball over to reliever Taylor Garrison who didn't allow a hit in 3.0 IP and allowed just one unearned run in his first Double-A victory.

Cole Kimball entered in relief of Garrison with two outs in the ninth innings and after issuing a walk, was able to induce a game-ending fielder's choice to end the ballgame and secure his first save of the season.

Trenton continues their four-game series with New Hampshire Tuesday in the second game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with the Trenton Thunder pre-game show beginning at 6:20 p.m. on 91.3 FM WTSR or online at www.trentonthunder.com.