TRENTON, N.J. — Pinch-hitter Mark Payton drove in the go-ahead run with a single to center field in the sixth inning, and the Trenton Thunder beat the Portland Sea Dogs 2-1 at Arm & Hammer Park on Tuesday night.

With the game tied 1-1, Trenton’s Ali Castillo was walked, putting runners on first and second with no outs. The Sea Dogs turned a double play when shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin snagged a line drive by Danny Oh and flipped the ball to second baseman Mike Miller. With Payton batting for Tony Renda, Castillo stole second to set up the go-ahead hit.

The Sea Dogs managed just three hits off Trenton’s four pitchers. Starter Danny Burawa struck out four and gave up one hit, but walked four and allowed the run by Tavarez. Andury Acevedo (1-2) took over in the fourth and pitched four hitless innings for the win. Former Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey pitched the eighth, and Mark Montgomery pitched the ninth for his 11th save, ending the game with strikeouts to Tavarez and Weems.

Portland starter Luis Diaz fell to 1-9. He gave up five hits in six innings, walked one and allowed both runs.

The Thunder took the lead in the second inning when Renda scored on a ground ball by Taylor Dugas.

The Sea Dogs quickly tied it with a run in the third. Leadoff hitter Aneury Tavarez drew a walk, stole second and continued to third when catcher Eddy Rodriguez overthrew second. Tavarez scored the tying run when the next batter, Jordan Weems, grounded out in his first Double-A at bat.

Copy the Story Link