TRENTON, New Jersey — The Trenton Thunder scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning and completed a three-game sweep of the Portland Sea Dogs 4-2 Wednesday in Eastern League baseball action at Arm & Hammer Park.
Portland has dropped 13 of 20 to the Thunder in the season series.
Trenton received three RBI fielder’s choices, including the game-winner by Cito Culver in the eighth inning against losing pitcher Williams Jerez (1-1). Following Culver’s RBI, Rico Noel dropped a two-out RBI bunt-single.
Jerez worked one inning, yielding two runs on three walks and two hits.
Connor Mullee (3-1) worked 2 1/3 innings with three hits and one run to earn the win for Trenton.
Portland received a lead-off triple in the ninth, but Mark Montgomery struck out the next three batters to earn his 12 save of the season.
The Sea Dogs scored a two-out run in the first inning. Sam Travis (2-for-4) doubled and scored on a single by Tim Roberson (2-for-3, RBI). Trenton responded with two runs in the first on RBI fielder’s choices by Tony Renda and Dan Fiorito.
Portland tied the game in the seventh inning when Aneury Tavarez led off with a single and scored on Travis’ run-scoring single.
Both starters had strong outings in taking no-decisions. Mike McCarthy tossed 5 ⅓ innings for Portland, allowing just five hits and two runs. Trenton’s Caleb Smith worked 5 ⅔ innings and gave up a run and six hits.
Portland’s Oscar Tejeda recorded a single and a double as the Sea Dogs collected 10 hits and left 10 men on base.