For a game that ended at just 4-2, the Thunder's Thursday night contest against the Portland Sea Dogs was about as drawn-out an affair as you will see. Despite much-hyped Red Sox Prospect Henry Owens taking the mound for the Sea Dogs, there were a combined 18 walks. How does a game with 18 walks end 4-2? The Thunder were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, while the Sea Dogs were 2-for-14.


The bad news for the Thunder is that New Hampshire crushed Reading 12-4, which means the Fisher Cats are just 2.5 games back in the race for the final playoff spot in the EL East. The drama!

Okay, lets take a closer look at this one:

The Thunder got a run in the first on a passed ball, but Henry Owens has looked pretty nasty early. Here he is striking out Mason Williams on three pitches:




Here's Portland catcher Christian Vasquez throwing out Carmen Angelini at 2nd. Vasquez had a tough start to the game, as his two passed balls allowed Ramon Flores to score without Owens giving up a hit.






The Sea Dogs got on the board in the second when Michael Almanzar hit a solo homer off Nik Turley, then got another in the third on a JC Linares line drive RBI. Here's Mason Williams connecting on a double of Owens in the third. Jose Pirela would then walk, but Owens got Gary Sanchez to pop out to first to end the threat.

Williams finished the game 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. Gary Sanchez was 0-for-3.

  


It was a bad inning for Owens in the fourth. He walked Kyle Roller, gave up a single to Carmen Angelini, walked Yeral Sanchez, then walked Jose Gil to bring home Roller, all of which you can see below. Owens final line was: 3IP, 2H, 2R, 7BB, 3K. Portland's Pete Ruiz did, however, manage to get out of the inning without further damage.



After Owens was pulled, Angelini got picked off at third base, and that got Tony mad. Mad enough, in fact, to get ejected. Here's what he had to say about that:
As for the rest of the game, the Thunder just could put together a rally of the Portland bullpen. They got two on with two outs in the eighth, but Jose Pirela struck out to end the opportunity.

Check out my early story here, and Ed Morlock's gamer here.


NOTES: Niel Medchill was activated from the DL before the game and promoted to Scranton, which is pretty good deal for a guy that hasn't played in two months...Inspired by the news of Ben Affleck apparently being the next Batman, the press box proceeded to discuss which Thunder player would be best suited for the role. Tyler Austin got some votes, but ultimately Slade Heathcott was the winner, largely due to his perceived ability to run through walls. Also receiving votes were Kyle Roller for Bane, Ramon Flores for Robin, Tony Franklin for Commissioner Gordon, and Alex Rodriguez (he counts) for the Joker.