Trenton, N.J. - Michael King (5-2) tossed seven scoreless innings, leading the Trenton Thunder (57-46) to an 8-1 win over the Portland Sea Dogs (42-60) on Thursday night in the series opener at Arm & Hammer Park.
Trenton, N.J. - Michael King (5-2) tossed seven scoreless innings, leading the Trenton Thunder (57-46) to an 8-1 win over the Portland Sea Dogs (42-60) on Thursday night in the series opener at Arm & Hammer Park.
King scattered four hits, walked one and fanned eight. Portland had one runner reach second base off the righty, a double by Jeremy Rivera (3-for-3, HBP) in the third inning.
Portland scored their lone run in the ninth inning off Brady Lail. Jordan Betts led off with a single and moved to third on the double by Johnny Bladel. Jhon Nunez followed with an RBI groundout.
Daniel McGrath (1-2) suffered the loss for Portland, making a spot-start for Matt Kent, who started for Pawtucket earlier in the day. McGrath pitched four innings on five hits, three runs (two earned), one walk and six strikeouts.
Trenton took a 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the second inning. Gosuke Katoh led off with a walk and stole second base. Former Sea Dog Wendell Rijo reached on an infield hit, but a throwing error by 3B Michael Chavis enabled Katoh to score.
McGrath allowed two runs in his final inning of work in the fourth inning. Ryan McBroom led off with a solo-homer (#4) to left field. Zach Zehner singled with one out and scored on a wild pitch.
Trenton added a run off Adam Lau in the sixth inning on a run-scoring double from Jeff Hendrix. Lau fanned four over three innings on four hits. The Thunder added four runs in the eighth off Harrison Cooney, who made his Sea Dogs debut.
The Sea Dogs and Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate) continue their four-game series on Friday night beginning at 7:00 PM from Arm & Hammer Park. Lefty Kyle Hart (6-7, 4.15) makes a start for the Sea Dogs. Trenton counters with Trevor Stephan (2-7, 5.17). Radio coverage with Mike Antonellis begins at 6:45 PM on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network. MiLB.TV starts at 6:55 PM.
