(READING, PA) - Trenton right-hander Rony Garcia kept the Fightin Phils off balance through a season-high eight shutout innings, as the Fightins were limited to just five hits in a 3-0 loss to the Thunder on Tribute to Pro Wrestling Night at FirstEnergy Stadium.Garcia (2-7) shut down the Fightins (15-8)
(READING, PA) - Trenton right-hander Rony Garcia kept the Fightin Phils off balance through a season-high eight shutout innings, as the Fightins were limited to just five hits in a 3-0 loss to the Thunder on Tribute to Pro Wrestling Night at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Garcia (2-7) shut down the Fightins (15-8) (54-36), scattering four singles across eight scoreless innings. He did not walk a batter and picked up eight strikeouts, which matched a season-most.
The Thunder (9-13) (47-40) jumped ahead in the first inning off Fightins starter David Parkinson (6-6). Kyle Holder laced a grounder back of first that kicked off Darick Hall's glove and into the Fightins bullpen, allowing Holder to leg out a triple. Chris Gittens followed by pushing a single through the right side, scoring Holder with the night's first run.
Trenton increased its advantage in the fourth.
Ben Ruta opened the frame with a single to left, and advanced to second on his 19th stolen base of the season. After Parkinson struck out Isiah Gilliam, Matt Lipka snuck a double down the third base line to plate Ruta and make it 2-0.
With two down, Jorge Saez hit a popper to shallow right which second baseman Jose Gomez managed to run down, but dropped for an error, permitting Lipka to score and push the Trenton lead to 3-0.
Jonathan Hennigan retired all six batters he faced in relief, and Garrett Cleavinger worked around a bases-loaded jam to keep the Thunder off the board in the seventh.
Josh Tols made his first appearance at FirstEnergy Stadium this season and hurled two scoreless innings of relief, as the Reading bullpen combined for five shutout frames.
Mickey Moniak finished 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot. All five hits for the Fightins were singles.
The series continues with game three of the four-game set on Saturday, with first pitch at 6:45 p.m. The game will be broadcast on 610 ESPN and the Fightins radio network beginning at 6:15 p.m.
