PORTLAND – The Trenton Thunder scored the winning run in the 10th inning without a hit.
How fitting.
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The Portland Sea Dogs outhit the Thunder 14-6, but it was visiting Trenton that utilized its chances, topping Portland 3-2 in 10 innings.
It was “Turn the Clock Ahead” night at Hadlock and the teams wore the uniforms of their parents clubs, the Yankees and Red Sox.
And the Sea Dogs (2-3) played like Boston has lately, leaving men on base, scuffling with runners in scoring position. Portland left 13, and was 2 for 11 with runners on second and/or third.
“We just didn’t get the timely hit,” Portland Manager Kevin Boles said.
Oscar Tejeda singled in a run in the sixth, and Tim Federowicz tied the game with his ninth-inning RBI single. But that was all.
Trenton (2-3) came in with a .185 batting average.
“We’ve been slow with the bats,” Thunder Manager Tony Franklin said. “We’ll take it anyway we can get it.”
But Trenton can pitch. Monday’s starter, left-handed prospect Manny Banuelos, mixed a moving low-90s fastball with a curve and change-up, for four scoreless innings. On a tight pitch count, he left after 66 pitches.
Sea Dogs starter Michael Lee’s command was off early. He exited after only three and two-thirds innings (77 pitches), down 1-0, on a Melky Mesa homer in the second.
Lee, Portland’s No. 5 starter, got in a groove late, retiring the last six batters he faced, three by strikeout, but his outing was too short.
“We were short on pitching,” Boles said. “We had to stretch out our bullpen, but I thought our bullpen competed well. Both guys gave us a chance.”
Left-handed reliever Tommy Hottovy showed off his new, full-time side-arm delivery, striking out four and walking none over three innings.
Hottovy allowed back-to-back doubles to a pair of right-handed batters, Austin Romine and Bradley Suttle, for the Thunder’s one run against him in the sixth.
Santo Luis (0-1) relieved Hottovy and looked solid through 21/3 innings (five strikeouts and one walk).
But Boles needed Luis to go out for the 10th inning. Luis walked two batters and, after a double steal with one out, he intentionally walked another to load the bases. Cody Johnson stroked a sacrifice fly to deep left for the game-winner.
In the bottom of the 10th, Ryan Dent grounded a two-out single to center but was stranded.
Three hitters off to slow starts got going Monday — Ryan Lavarnway (3 for 5), Jorge Padron (3 for 5) and Tejeda (2 for 4).
NOTES: Trenton brought in “switch-pitcher” Pat Venditte to get a needed out in the eighth. Venditte has a glove he can wear on either hand and, when he comes in, he warms up both arms (four pitches each). He pitched left-handed and struck out lefty Mitch Dening. … New England Patriots tight end Ron Gronkowski will appear at today’s game, to sign autographs and throw out the first pitch.
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:
kthomas@pressherald.comTODAY’S GAME
WHO: Sea Dogs (Alex Wilson 1-0) vs. Steve Garrison (0-0)
WHEN: 6 p.m.
WHERE: Hadlock Field
TICKETS: 3,000 remain
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