Trenton got two-run home runs from Michael Coleman and Eric Duncan en route to an 8-1 win over Erie on Monday night. The win, combined with a loss by Portland, put the Thunder (53-48) back into 1st Place in the Eastern League's Northern Division.

Erie (53-48) got the first run of the game in the 3rd Inning off Thunder starter Ramon Ramirez. SS tony Giarratano singled, stole 2nd base and scored on a double by LF Mike Woods. But that was the only run allowed by Ramirez (6-5) in six innings. He allowed five hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts.

The Thunder took the lead in the 4th Inning off Erie starter Jeremy Johnson. RF Bronson Sardinha reached on an error by Erie 1B Juan Tejeda and scored on a two-out double by C Omir Santos. Coleman followed with his homer to put Trenton ahead, 3-0. An RBI double by CF Matt Carson and E. Duncan's homer made it a 6-1 game in the 5th Inning.

Trenton capped off the night with a two-run single by DH Yobal Duenas for an 8-1 lead in the 6th Inning. Johnson (8-6) took the loss and was charged with eight runs (five earned) in 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out three.

The Thunder also got a good outing from Jon Skaggs, as he worked the final three innings shutout to record his first professional save.

The series continues on Tuesday with an 11:05 AM start. Jeff Karstens (9-9, 4.01) goes for the Thunder against erie's Virgil Vasquez (2-3, 4.81).

	R	H	E
Erie	1	7	2
Trenton	8	9	0
(10 Innings)
WP- Ramon Ramirez (6-5) LP- Jeremy Johnson (8-6) SV- Jon Skaggs (1)
Time- Att- 5,461