Thunder make history with win No. 92
TRENTON » The player who has appeared in the most games this season got the hit to send the 2017 Thunder to the top of the franchise’s record book.
Zack Zehner doubled home the winning run in the sixth inning and the Thunder beat Reading, 3-2, for their 92nd victory on Monday afternoon at Arm & Hammer Park.
The 92 wins matches the previous high set during the 1999 season, while the overall 92-48 record accounts for a .657 winning percentage, the highest in club history (the ’99 team played 142 games instead of 140).
“We really wanted to win today because it meant a lot,” Zehner said. “I was glad I could do it, but someone else probably would have done it if I didn’t. It’s a great ending to the (regular) season … and we’re ready to go on for the playoffs.”
The 25-year-old Zehner appeared in 128 of the team’s 140 games and was awarded the OxiClean Dirtiest Uniform of the Season, which comes with a full years supply of OxiClean products.
“It’s all about hustle,” manager Bobby Mitchell said. “He goes all out, plays hard, battles all the time. He plays hard all the time and he deserved that award for sure.”
Garrett Cooper, still on a rehab assignment from the Yankees, returned from an illness to pick up a pair of hits and score the winning run on Zehner’s double.
Both Cooper and Clint Frazier are expected to travel to Binghamton and be in the Thunder lineup for Game 1 of the ELDS on Wednesday night.
“That’s a nice boost,” Mitchell said.
Dillon Tate (1-2, 3.24) will get the ball in Game 1 against EL Pitcher of the Year Corey Oswalt (12-5, 2.28).
After getting swept in a doubleheader on Sunday night, the Thunder picked up some momentum heading into the postseason.
Raynel Espinal, forced into a starting role after an injury to Will Carter, struck out five in 3.2 innings hitless innings.
Reading (72-68) didn’t get its first hit until Mitch Walding launched his 25th homer with two outs in the sixth off James Sosebee. Three consecutive hits later, the Fightin Phils tied the game.
Cooper led off the sixth with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Zehner’s double to left.
“We wanted to end up on a good note,” Zehner said. “It was a good comeback win. You just kind of want to roll into the playoffs.”
NOTES » Domingo Acevedo was named the ACE Hardware Pitcher of the Year. Acevedo went 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA in 14 starts . ... Cale Coshow was given the Samuel J. Plumeri Community Service Award for the second straight year.