Trenton squeezes out win in first game of critical series
TRENTON » Fresh off a five-game losing streak during a road trip where manager Jay Bell said the Thunder were pressing, a return home offered a golden opportunity — an opportunity to peak at the right time and make a run at the Eastern League leaders.
Trenton obliged Friday night at Arm & Hammer Park, squeezing out a 3-1 victory in the first game of a four-game set with New Hampshire.
The Thunder (66-56) are now 3.5 games behind the Fisher Cats (6850) for first place in the Eastern Division. Trenton, which will make the playoffs if it finishes at least second, currently stands six games ahead of Reading.
“It’s a big series. We’re still playing for the playoffs,” Bell said. “We’re at the time of year where we’ve got less than three weeks left and it’s time to pay attention to what’s going on. We just need to play a good brand of baseball the rest of the way. Do I want to win? Absolutely, I want to win the division. There’s no doubt about it. But more importantly, I want to go to the playoffs.”
The game’s crucial momentum shifter occurred in the fifth inning.
Faced with runners on second and third with one out, Thunder relief pitcher Phillip Diehl struck out Max Pentecost swinging and induced a flyout by Santiago Espinal to preserve Trenton’s 2-1 lead.
Center field Rashad Crawford dove headfirst to secure the final out as the Thunder celebrated on the way back to the dugout. Then in the bottom of the inning, Jhalan Jackson led off with his 16th home run of the season to dead center on a 2-1 pitch from left-hander Tayler Saucedo.
Trenton initially took the lead in the fourth when Ryan Lidge came around to score on a wild pitch.
Trey Amburgey tied the game in the bottom of the first with a linedrive single to left — his team-high 66th RBI of the season.
In his return from the disabled list, No. 3 Yankees prospect Jonathan Loaisiga yielded one run on an RBI double. He struck out two, walked two and hit a batter while being limited to 41 pitches as he builds back his arm strength.
Jordan Foley provided 3 2/3 scoreless frames in relief to bridge the way to Diehl, who fanned four batters across another 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Matt Wivinis locked down the final four outs for his second save of the season.
The Thunder will play a doubleheader of two seven-inning games Saturday beginning at 5 p.m.