Final score: Trenton 5, Binghamton 0 

Synopsis: Trenton got four runs in the first, and Matt Tracy, who pitched easily his best game of the season, did the rest. He finished with 6 1/3 innings of one-hit ball with two walks, a hit batsman and nine strikeouts. 

What went right: Matt Tracy's fixed a few mechanical things -- he said his struggles had been linked to his rhythm being off -- and saw big-time benefits. His fastball sat between 90 and 94 miles per hour, and his curveball (mid-70s) broke hard and late and was especially effective against right-handers. 

Reegie Corona, in his just his third game of the season after missing most of April with a hamstring injury suffered trying to steal a base on the last day of spring training, had a two-run single in the team's big first inning. He's still working his way back to full strength -- he has yet to play back-to-back games -- but his presence in the lineup going forth could be huge with the injuries to infielders Rob Segedin and Walter Ibarra. 

Slade Heathcott also drove in a pair of runs -- one with a groundout in the first and another with single through the right side in the third. After a terrible April, the most highly lauded of Trenton's three outfield prospects, a good May for Heathcott would be crucial for the Thunder's playoff hopes. 

What went wrong: Backup catcher Kyle Higashioka is gone for the season after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He was in the clubhouse yesterday chipping golf balls (with his good arm) into a catcher's mitt. Baseball players love golf. 

It's not much better for the Thunder's other two hurt players -- Segedin and Ibarra. Segedin is dealing with a hip injury (I believe it's a contusion) suffered while diving for a ball in Akron. Manager Tony Franklin didn't sound terribly optimistic yesterday, even going so far as to doubt whether Segedin would be back at all this season. 

Ibarra is dealing with an abdominal injury, but at least he's on the road back. He played catch at 60 feet on Monday, one of the first steps in re-conditioning him toward playing shape. 

Still waiting: I reported on Sunday night that starter Caleb Cotham was on his way to Triple-A to take the place of Preston Claiborne, who was promoted to the Yankees. When Cody Eppley cleared waivers, however, that spot closed and Cotham stayed in Trenton.

It doesn't sound like he's necessarily going to be here for long. Franklin indicated yesterday that something was still in play and that he was just waiting for a phone call to figure out the details. If nothing works out, he'll stay in the rotation like nothing happened. Based on what Franklin said, though, it doesn't sound like he'll be here much longer. 

Picks to click: Here are my notes and game story from Monday's win. 

Flick to click: Here is my highlight reel from Monday