Montero Out For The Year

It’s not that I wasn’t trying, but Pete Abraham has it for you guys first…Jesus Montero is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a broken middle finger on his right hand.

This is a relatively small blow for Montero, who will inevitably heal from this and be good as new when he likely returns to the Thunder in 2010.

But for this year’s Thunder, who have been decimated by injuries and inconsistent play, this is a huge blow to their playoff chances.

Montero was hitting .317 with nine home runs and 33 RBI in just 44 games, and was the lone legitimate power bat that Tony Franklin had available to him. 

With Jorge Vazquez on the shelf for an indefinite period — possibly the season as well — the Thunder will have to look for new ways to generate some offense.

For now, it looks like Kyle Anson and P.J. Pilittere will split the catching duties.

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

Source: Pilittere To Join Thunder

According to a source, the Trenton Thunder are set to receive catcher P.J. Pilittere from Scranton.  Unlike the last time he was assigned here this season, he is actually expected to report and play for the team.

Given that Jose Gil and Ryan Baker are both available for such a move, I’m not sure what this says as to the seriousness of the hand injury that Jesus Montero apparently suffered tonight behind the plate.  There is no update in regards to what the seriousness is of the injury or how much time he’ll miss, if any.

While the loss of Montero would be huge, the Thunder would be in more than capable hands with both Pilittere and Kyle Anson.

Pilittere backstopped both Thunder championship teams, and was revered for his gamecalling skills, clutch hitting and demeanor off the field.

I’ll have more on this story as it develops, of course…

In the meantime, stay tuned to my brand spankin’ new Twitter account for updates on how there isn’t anything to update yet.

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

Bush League

(PR) (Altoona, PA)- The Trenton Thunder (Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees) have announced that RHP Eric Wordekemper has been transferred from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) to Trenton. RHP Paul Bush has been placed on the Disabled List, retroactive to July 31st, to make room for Wordekemper on the Thunder roster.

Wordekemper was transferred from Trenton to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on July 27th. He is 0-0 with a 1.65 ERA in 20 games for the Thunder this season, including one save. He has had two separate stints with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. He is 2-0 with a 5.06 ERA in seven games for the Yankees, including one save. He tossed four shutout innings against Toledo to pick up a win for the Yankees on July 27th. In 2008, he split the season between Tampa and Trenton. He went 3-2 with a 3.93 ERA and six saves for the Thunder in 33 games. He was 0-0 with a 10.80 ERA in two games for Tampa.

Bush was transferred from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to Trenton on July 17th. He is 1-1 with a 2.19 ERA in three starts for the Thunder. He posted a 2-2 record with a 4.86 ERA in seven appearances (two starts) for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In 2008, Bush pitched in the Braves organization, and spent the majority of the season with Mississippi (Double-A) in the Southern League. For Mississippi, Bush went 0-1 with a 3.24 ERA in 12 appearances. The Titusville, Florida native was drafted by the Braves in the 24th round of the 2002 draft out of Georgia Southwestern State University.

Thunder Lose Game, Montero

(PR) (Altoona, PA)- Altoona hit two home runs and went on for an 8-4 win over the Thunder on Saturday night from Blair County Ballpark in Altoona, PA. The win is Altoona’s first of the season against Trenton. The Thunder still lead the season-series 4-1.

Trenton scored a two-out run in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. With two outs, Shortstop Eduardo Nunez singled. He stole second, and then scored on an RBI single by Catcher Jesus Montero. Altoona quickly responded with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. First baseman Jason Delaney singled home Shortstop Brian Friday to tie the game a 1-1, and the Curve took a 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly RBI by Left fielder Jonel Pacheco. The Curve increased the lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning on an RBI ground out by Catcher Miguel Perez. Altoona extended the lead to 6-1 with three runs in the fifth inning. Third baseman Pedro Alvarez connected on a solo home run off of Thunder Starting Pitcher Lance Pendleton (0-1) to make it 4-1. Later in the inning, Right fielder Miles Durham blasted a two-run home run to add to the lead.

Down 6-1, Trenton scored a run in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 6-2. Right fielder Edwar Gonzalez picked up a two-out RBI single to score First baseman Chris Malec. Trenton plated two runs in the seventh inning to pull even closer. Center fielder Austin Krum delivered an RBI double off of Altoona Reliever Corey Hamman to make it 6-3. A sacrifice fly RBI by Nunez capped off the scoring in the inning. Trenton had the tying runs in scoring position in the top of the eighth inning, but Altoona Reliever Michael Dubee retired Third baseman Marcos Vechionacci on a ground out to end the threat. Vechionacci and Robnett each had two hits in the loss. Trenton went 2 x 10 with runners in scoring position, after going 3 x 15 with RISP on Friday night. Altoona scored two insurance runs in the eighth inning off of Thunder Reliever Jason Stephens.

Pendleton allowed six hits and six runs over 4 1/3 innings in his Double-A debut to take the loss. He struck out three and walked three. Altoona Starting Pitcher Tim Alderson hurled 5 2/3 innings in his Altoona debut to earn the win. He scattered seven hits and two runs (one earned).

Trenton and Altoona play the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday night. RHP Ryan Pope (4-8, 5.40) will start for Trenton against Altoona RHP Yoslan Herrera (7-0, 3.33). Game time is set for 6:05 p.m.