TRENTON, NJ – In what may have been a dress rehearsal for the Eastern League’s 2018 Eastern Division finals, the Trenton Thunder clinched their pre-Fourth of July series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Monday, winning 8-6 on the strength of a Mandy Alvarez grand slam.
The Alvarez blast in the seventh was his second home run in as many innings, following an inside-the-park home run that also brought home Jeff Hendrix that helped the Thunder recapture the lead.
Abiatal Avelino also added a solo shot earlier to tie up the contest, adding a third inning single to give Trenton their first lead of the night.
Juan Kelly’s tenth home run of the year highlighted a four-run ninth inning comeback attempt.
Jonathan Davis and Jon Berti also contributed RBI earlier in the contest, bringing home Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio respectively.
In the hits column, Connor Panas led the way for New Hampshire going 2-for-4, while Trenton’s Devyn Bolasky went 3-for-5, bringing him up to a .454 average during the series.
Trenton starting pitcher Domingo Acevedo was denied a chance to avenge his April 11 loss to the ‘Cats, pitching five strong innings, but leaving with a no decision.
The win instead went to Montana native Caleb Frare. A second-year southpaw, Frare (3-1) threw 2 1/3 innings, allowing just one baserunner above the minimum during his appearance.
New Hampshire’s losing pitcher of record was Dusty Issacs, leaving the contest shortly after the first Alvarez home run of the night.
Thomas Pannone pitched five innings in the start for New Hampshire, giving up four hits and four walks while striking out seven.
The final game of the series begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night with Trenton only half a game behind the Fisher Cats for the division lead. Josh DeGraaf (2-4, 6.39 ERA) will seek to maintain New Hampshire’s perch atop the standings against Trenton’s Brian Keller (6-5, 4.14 ERA).