Thunder Sweep DH, Clinch Wild Card Playoff Berth!

Thunder Sweep DH, Clinch Wild Card Playoff Berth!

Trenton wins Game 1, 8-0; Game 2, 4-2

PORTLAND, ME - The Trenton Thunder take both games of Saturday's double-header against the Portland Sea Dogs and are in the playoffs for the second straight season-this season as the 2013 East Division Wild Card.

In Game 1, Trenton used a complete-game shutout by Shane Greene to secure an 8-0 win and the Wild Card bid. Greene gave up just three hits and one walk while fanning five Sea Dogs in the outing. He moves to 8-4 with the win and lowers his ERA to 3.18 in 14 appearances (13 starts) since his promotion from High-A Tampa. Greene induced the final out of the game on a Deven Marrero groundball to second base.

Offensively in Game 1 the Thunder jumped all over starting pitcher Mickey Pena and had five runs already on the board with one out in the 3rd inning. After a run-scoring triple by Ramon Flores with one out to give Trenton a 3-0 lead, Jose Pirela launched a homer into the nets above the Maine Monster for his 10th home run of the season.

Lefty Caleb Smith, a 14th round selection in this year's MLB draft, was promoted from Short-Season Single-A Staten Island to make his first Double-A appearance. Smith impressed with one run allowed over 3.2 innings before being lifted for Pat Venditte who earned his first win with the Thunder this season.

Smith had a two-run lead in the first inning before he even took the mound thanks to a two-out, two-run homer by Kyle Roller-his team-leading 17th of the season. Trenton added a pair of runs in the 3rd inning on doubles by Francisco Arcia, Flores and Pirela to make it 4-0 Thunder. Danny Burawa pitched a scoreless 6th and 7th inning for the save.

Trenton continues their final series of the regular season Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Hadlock Field against Portland featuring LHP Nik Turley (10-8, 3.90) pitching for the Thunder against LHP Henry Owens (3-0, 1.09) for Portland. Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and streaming online begins at 12:45 p.m.

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original post can be seen HERE.