Strong Pitching By McAllister, Home Run By Smith Propel Thunder To 4-2 Win

Stay tuned for the official press release…Zach McAllister improves to 2-1 with seven strong innings of work, and Kevin Smith cracked his first Double-A home run, continuing to turn around his game after a rough April.

(PR) (Binghamton, NY)- Trenton Starting Pitcher Zach McAllister tossed seven solid innings to help the Thunder defeat Binghamton 4-2 on Friday night from NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton, NY. After dropping its first three games at NYSEG Stadium this season, Trenton notched its first win this season in Binghamton.

Down 2-0, Trenton scored three runs in the sixth inning to take a 3-2 lead. With one out, Shortstop Eduardo Nunez singled off of Binghamton Starting Pitcher Jose Sanchez (1-4). Nunez advanced to second base on a balk by Sanchez. After a fly out by Outfielder Seth Fortenberry, Outfielder Colin Curtis delivered a two-out RBI double to cut the Binghamton lead to 2-1. First baseman Jorge Vazquez followed with an RBI single to plate Curtis with the tying run. Third baseman Marcos Vechionacci followed with a single to advance Vazquez to third base. Vazquez scored the go-ahead run on the second balk of the inning by Sanchez. Sanchez allowed four of his six hits in the sixth inning. Vazquez went 2 x 4 with a double, an RBI and a run. He notched his fifth multi-hit game of the season.

Trenton (16-16) added an insurance run in the ninth inning on a solo home run by Designated Hitter Kevin Smith. The home run off of Binghamton Reliever Roy Merritt was Smith’s first of the season. Thunder Reliever Kevin Whelan shut the door on the Mets with two shutout innings in relief of McAllister. Whelan struck out three and did not walk a batter for his seconds ave.
McAllister (2-1) tied his season-high with a seven inning-start. He scattered six hits and two runs (one earned). He struck out two and walked one. Sanchez yielded six hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings. Binghamton (15-18) plated two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Binghamton First baseman Lucas Duda had a two-run single.

Trenton and Binghamton continue their five-game series on Saturday night with a double-header. In the first game, RHP Ivan Nova (2-2, 4.13) will start for Trenton against Binghamton Ryan Coultas (2-1, 2.67). In the second game, LHP Wilkins Arias (0-1, 2.95) will start for Trenton against Binghamton RHP Tobi Stoner (1-0, 0.00). The first game is slated to start at 5:05 p.m.