Tagged: Shaeffer Hall

Cold Opener in Trenton

It was a cold one in Trenton last night as the Thunder opened up against the NH Fishercats, the defending Eastern League champs. It was made more cold by the wind, the usual length of a Thunder game (3 hours), and the fact that there were way too many people wearing shorts, capris, and flip-flops.

It was so cold that after the game, Fishercats pitcher Deck McGuire’s teeth were chattering.

Anyway, to the game.

Trenton jumped on Fishercats starter (and Toronto Blue Jays prospect) Drew Hutchison in the very first inning for three hits and two runs.

Hutchison didn’t allow a hit after that and seemed to be on cruise control. Meanwhile, NH went to work against Thunder starter Shaeffer Hall, scoring two runs each in the 3rd and 4th innings. The Thunder defense was also a little shaky.

The Fishercats held on for the 5-3 win. NY Yankees prospect Zoilo Almonte, who impressed the Yankees brass so much this spring, went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts (and he looked horrible at the plate).

*Fishercats outfielder John Tolisano came up lame while running to first base on a single. He was taken out, but manager Sal Fasano said it was just a pull. He was back in the dugout before the game ended and was walking without a limp. Not sure if he’ll play the rest of the series because it’s supposed to be cold.

**Pictures to come.

Sloppiness Dooms the Thunder

DSCN1344.JPGHeading to Opening Night for the Trenton Thunder, the sun was out shining and it was warm. Well, that changed quickly as the temps dropped and I laughed at the people who showed up to the game in shorts and t-shirts. HELLO! The ballpark is on the waterfront (and the forecast called for nighttime temps in the 40s). Still I wish to sit at a game without wearing gloves.

Gloves only help for so long as the new Thunder team is much like past teams: they take at least 3 HOURS to complete a game. No quick game last night. I could see why the two teams (the Harrisburg Senators and the the Thunder) were in last place: No offense.

DSCN1347.JPGThunder starter Shaeffer Hall cruised through the lineup once, but the second time around the Senators hitters were teeing off. Tim Norton and Brian Anderson pitched well out of the bullpen (yes THE Brian Anderson that won a World Series championship in 2005 with the Chicago White Sox as an outfielder).

DSCN1543.JPGThen the 9th rolled around and Japanese import Naoya Okamoto recorded the first two outs (check out Mike Ashmore’s Thunder Thoughts for video on his delivery). Then he forgot how to throw strikes. His pitches either were way outside or didn’t bounced in front of the plate. Thunder manager Tony Franklin FINALLY came out of the dugout to get Okamoto after he walked in a run (much to the glee of those left it the stands). Okamoto should have been out of the inning with zero runs scored, but shortstop Jose Pirela made yet another poor fielding play. Steve Lombardozzi hit a ground ball to short. Pirela let the ball play him and took forever to throw to first (like the ball got stuck between his jersey and his glove). Lombardozzi was WAY safe, and the runner that was on second base scored. That runner took off when the ball was hit and never slowed down. He was about 10 steps from home when the Thunder first baseman caught the ball.

The Thunder had a shot in the bottom of the 9th. After already plating a run (the Senators manager quickly made a pitching change, unlike Franklin), Austin Krum hit a shot towards the center field wall. Two Senators outfielders chased, but Jonathon Tucker dove towards (and maybe into) the wall to make the catch. Honestly it was tough from 400+ feet to tell if he actually caught it (but the umps ruled it a catch). But it was a fine one if he did (would make Sportcenter’s top plays if someone got it on tape).
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