Trenton Thunder News

TRENTON – RJ Johnson, batting 2-3 on the night, doubled to score two runs in the bottom of the fifth as the Trenton Thunder, Double A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, came from behind to defeat the Norwich Navigators, Double A affiliate of the New York Yankees, by a score of 3-2 in front of 7,382 at Waterfront Park.

Bret Saberhagen started the game for the Thunder as part of his major league rehab assignment. He gave up two runs on one hit, one walk, three strikeouts and three hit batters in three innings of work. Jim Dedrick, now 3-3, relieved the major leaguer and earned the win, allowing no runs on three hits, one walk and one strike out in 3.2 innings. David Walling took the loss for Norwich, pitching all eight Norwich innings, giving up three runs on six hits, three walks and seven strikeouts. He falls to 3-7 on the season.

The Navigators took an early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Donzell McDonald walked to start the game, followed by a two run home run off of Saberhagen, by Paul Ottavinia, 2-4 on the night.

The Thunder could not bring a run home until the fifth inning, when the attack began. Tony DeRosso doubled to left to start the inning. Mark Fischer, 2-2 on the night, singled to right, followed by a base hit by Luis Rodriguez that scored DeRosso. After two consecutive strike outs and two men on base, Johnson knocked a double to left field that scored Rodriguez and Fischer to make the score 3-2.

The Navigators did not score again and the Thunder took the victory, improving to 57-63. Norwich`s season record now stands at 66-57 after the split series in Trenton. The teams will meet for the final time this season in Norwich August 18-20.

Tomorrow, the Thunder travel to New Haven for a four game series over three days. In game one, the Thunder will throw Nerio Rodriguez (4-6) and Rob Radlosky (1-3) will be on the mound for the Thunder in game two. New Havens pitchers are TBA.

-THUNDER-

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Author: Courtesy of the Trenton Thunder