South Jersey Baseball:
Thunder Win on Hit Batsman in 13th Inning

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

By Dan Loney
Trenton Thunder Director of Broadcasting

PH Omir Santos was hit by a Jamie Vermilyea pitch with the bases loaded in the 13th Inning which gave the Trenton Thunder an 8-7 win in Eastern League play on Wednesday afternoon. The win moved the Thunder into sole possession of 2nd Place in the Northern Division. Shelley Duncan, who scored the winning run, led the offense with three hits and three RBI.

Duncan, who was playing in front of his dad, St. Louis Cardinals Pitching Coach Dave Duncan, and Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa in the early innings of the game, slammed a two-run homer off New Hampshire starter Cam Reimers in the 8th Inning that tied the game at 7-7. The homer capped a Trenton comeback that saw the Thunder trail 6-0 after three innings.

The Fisher Cats (19-18) used a grand slam homer and a two-run balst early for the lead off Trenton starter Danny Borrell, who allowed six runs in three innings. Trenton (21-19) came back with two runs in the 5th Inning and three in the 6th Inning, aided by three New Hampshire errors. Reimers allowed seven runs (four earned) in 7 1/3 innings.

Trenton collected leadoff doubles in the 9th and 10th Innings, but couldn't score as the bullpens took over. Ryan Houston and Jordan DeJong worked 4 2/3 innings scoreless to get the game into the 13th Inning. For Trenton, Eduardo Sierra, Justin Pope and Carlos Artiles worked the final eight innings shutout, with Artiles (2-0) going the final two innings for the win.

The Thunder started the 13th Inning with a walk to Shelley Duncan and a single by Eric Duncan. After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk, SS J.T. Stotts lined out for the second out. Santos then pinch-hit for Jason Brown and was hit by the third offering by Vermilyea (1-1).

The series concludes on Thursday at 7:05 PM. Jon Skaggs (1-2, 6.49) starts for Trenton against Shaun marcum (5-1, 2.55).