Thunder Snap Losing Streak with Two Strong Home Victories

(Trenton Thunder Media Relations)

Entering a four game losing streak the Trenton Thunder turned to 21-year-old Brady Lail Thursday night hoping he could produce a strong start.  Lail allowed just one run over six innings and lead the Thunder out of their slump with a 9-1 victory.

With the victory, Lail also earned his first Thunder victory.

“It feels like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” said Lail.

Lail took full command of Erie’s offense, getting batter to swing at low pitches and hit light ground balls.

“I felt like my command was a lot better I was able to execute my off-speed pitches when I needed to,” said Lail who had batters off balanced by simply locating his fastball.

The Thunder bats showed up Wednesday night with back-to-back doubles from Aaron Judge and Greg Bird.

The only run the young righty gave up was in the top of the sixth after a long inning on the bench, Lail surrendered the only run for the Seawolves.

The bottom of the fifth opened with a bunt single from Jose Rosario, followed by back-to-back walks by Jake Cave and Aaron Judge.  Greg Bird was struck by a pitch bringing in Rosario.

Prior to this inning, the bottom three of the Thunder lineup had just one hit combined for this home stretch.

Eric Jagielo remained hot hitting a two-run single, knocking-out starter Austin Kubitza.

The inning did not end there, Dante Bichette Jr. hit a two run RBI single, but got caught in a run-down not before Mason Williams was able to score giving the Thunder a 6-0 lead.

Following Wednesday nights big win, the Thunder came back out Thursday morning in the final game of the SeaWolves series.

Center fielder, Jake Cave’s walk-off single gave the Thunder a 2-1 victory before they enter a six game road trip.

Cave ripped the 2-2 pitch right over the infield scoring Jose Rosario.

Thursday’s pitchers deal featured Warwick Saupold for Erie and Miguel Sulbaran for Trenton.  Both pitchers gave up three hits in six innings.  The SeaWolves struck first off of Cesar Vargas with an RBI single off Wynton Bernard’s bat.

However, Eric Jagielo responded in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run to right field.

The Thunder will play Friday night at New Hampshire.  First pitch is scheduled for 6:35.