Final score: New Hampshire 7, Trenton 5 - 10 innings

Synopsis: After a frenzied two-run comeback in the eighth inning, Trenton couldn't keep the momentum going in extra frames against the Fisher Cats. Ryan Pope allowed two runs in the tenth -- his third inning of work -- and the Thunder couldn't rally in the bottom half. Brett Marshall allowed five runs on 11 hits in seven innings, breaking a string of three starts in a row two or fewer runs allowed. 

Manager Tony Franklin told his team afterward in a lengthy meeting that it needs to be better. The team has been ravaged by injuries, but there's no excuse for the inconsistent play. It's not the first such meeting he's had with this group, but it certainly seemed like the most impassioned. 

Bright spots: The middle of the order -- Ronnier Mustelier, Cody Johnson and Melky Mesa -- went 7 for 14 with four runs scored and three RBIs. Mustelier hit his fourth longball in as many games. Luke Murton also added a home run. 

Bad news for the Thunder: Mustelier got promoted to Triple-A Scranton after the game. Pretty easy to say he deserves it. All he's done is hit .353/.394/.561 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 25 games. 

He'll be replaced by Corban Joseph, who was activated off of Scranton's DL today and sent to Trenton. He wasn't in the clubhouse before the game, and I didn't see him afterward. I'll talk to him tomorrow. 

Walter Ibarra has a dinged-up finger. He hurt it with a head-first slide some time on the previous road trip to New Hampshire and Portland. A plus defender, his absence absolutely hurts Trenton and its pitching staff. 

Good news for the Thunder: David Adams, out since April 14 with a stiff neck, is headed to Tampa this weekend to play in a few rehab games before he gets back on the field with Trenton. Zoilo Almonte also hit today, so he's getting closer. 

Bad news for the Yankees but inconsequential for the Thunder: Jose Campos, the pitcher who accompanied Michael Pineda to New York in the Jesus Montero/Hector Noesi deal, went on the disabled list on Thursday with a sore elbow. He underwent an MRI, the results of which are not yet known. 

Former Thunder catcher Austin Romine, who has missed just about the entire season since the beginning of spring training, is scheduled to see a specialist regarding his ailing back. 

Picks to click: Here are my game story, a short story on injuries, and a longer feature on Melky Mesa and his declining K rate.