Gittens starting to heat up for Thunder
TRENTON » Much like the weather, Chris Gittens is starting to heat up.
During the Thunder’s fivegame winning streak, Gittens has batted 6-for-17, part of a hot stretch over his last 10 games in which he’s batted .345 (10-for-29) with two homers and nine RBIs.
A 12th-round pick in 2014, the Texan is slashing .247/.358/.371 in his first Double-A season.
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The Thunder rank 11th in the Eastern League in batting (.222), but are still tied for first place in the East Division at 18-10 thanks to a pitching staff which ranks second in ERA (2.67) and first in strikeouts (265).
Erik Swanson continues to emerge as the best starter on the team’s staff. The 24-yearold right-hander is 5-0 with an 0.65 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 27.2 innings.
Swanson, who was acquired from the Rangers in August 2016, is limiting opponents to a .161 average and has a 0.87 WHIP.
Speaking of pitchers, Domingo Acevedo remains sidelined after by a blister on his right index finger, which landed him on the disabled list on April 12.
In addition to the blister, Acevedo also suffered a concussion during the team’s recent road trip, which has delayed is return to the mound.
Acevedo, the organization’s No. 9 prospect, made a pair of starts before the injury and posted a 2.61 ERA in 10.1 innings.
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