(Richmond, VA) - The Trenton Thunder (7-10) dropped game one of a four-game set against the Richmond Flying Squirrels Monday night by a score of 9-5. Ray Kruml led the Thunder offensively, going 3-4 with 3 RBI, but his big night was not enough as the Thunder could not overcome a six-run sixth inning by the Flying Squirrels.

The Thunder struck first in the ballgame, when they brought in a run in the top of the second inning. Squirrel starter Thomas Vessella walked Melky Mesa and Corban Joseph, and, with two outs, Ray Kruml pulled a ball through the hole at second base to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead.

After Richmond scored twice in the bottom of the third, the Thunder would answer with two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to take a 5-2 lead. Addison Maruszak knocked a run-scoring single in the fourth, and Corban Joseph doubled home a run in the fifth. Kruml, who picked-up his first multi-RBI game of 2011, would add RBI-singles in both the fifth and sixth innings.

That would be it for the Thunder offense, though, as Ricmond would bounce-back to score six runs in the bottom of the sixth off of Thunder pitchers Cory Arbiso and Naoya Okamoto. Squirrel relief pitcher David Quinowski retired the final thirteen Thunder batters he faced in the game.

Trenton resumes their four-game series with the Flying Squirrels Tuesday night from The Diamond in Richmond, VA, at 6:35 PM. LHP Shaeffer Hall (1-1, 3.12) will pitch for the Thunder and will oppose RHP Daryl Maday (0-1, 3.31) for the Flying Squirrels. Tune-in to the game on 91.3 WTSR-FM and on trentonthunder.com. The SBLI Pre-Game Show with Hank Fuerst begins at 6:20 PM on the Trenton Thunder Radio Network.

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According to Donnie Collins of the Scranton Times-Tribune, outfielder Dan Brewer is coming down to the Thunder. With Justin Maxwell, Greg Golson, Jordan Parraz and Chris Dickerson already with Scranton, this move makes sense.

With Brewer, Trenton has six (!) outfielders on the active roster, not to mention the "disabled" Damon Sublett. My guess is Jack Rye will be hitting the, ahem, disabled list, as well.

With Scranton, Brewer .438 with two doubles, a triple, two RBIs and three stolen bases in as many chances.

Good morning.

Today marks the first day of The Trentonian's coverage of Yankees spring training in Tampa. Unfortunately, the team moved today's scheduled intrasquad scrimmage up to 10 a.m. from the originally scheduled 1 p.m. start time. This means I'll be in the air and picking up my rental car while the game is being played. Hopefully things will go smoothly and I'll be able to catch the final couple of innings.

In the event that I do not, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. While I'm in the air, here's a question for you to ponder: If Chris Dickerson is OK, and Curtis Granderson does not start the season on the disabled list, what happens to Dan Brewer.

In theory, the Scranton outfield would be Dickerson, Justin Maxwell and Greg Golson, leaving Brewer shoved out of the mix. I can see three options here.

1. He starts the season in Scranton as a fourth outfielder, which doesn't seem to be a fate befitting of someone who put himself on the map last year with a stellar season at Trenton.

2. He begins the season in Scranton, but on the fake DL, stashed away until either Dickerson, Golson or Maxwell is needed at the big league level.

3. He gets pushed back to Trenton to start the year and get regular at-bats. This might not be favorable for Brewer, but if that's the only way to get him some playing time, I bet he'll take it over riding the pine.

That's a picture of Brewer I took at last year's spring training. Thank you, Google Images.

Each Friday, Minor Matters will publish the Top Ten numbers from the season. These can be stats, players' numbers, whatever. As long as it's a number, it counts. The Thunder were just two wins from the Eastern League championship, so there's no shortage of material for this section.

No. 4 ...

What it means: The number of stolen bases from dual-threat outfielder Dan Brewer, tops on the team. He also had 10 longballs, making him the only player on the team last season to post double-digit totals in both categories.

Why it's significant: The stolen base total made him the first player since Kevin Thompson in 2005 to post double-digit home runs and swipes. Thunder fans probably won't have to wait long to see that feat accomplished again, however: Melky Mesa, a likely member of next year's squad, hit 19 HRs and stole 31 bases with Tampa.

What Else It Could Mean: Twenty-nine was also the number of games played by famously tight-lipped outfielder Reid Gorecki.

Every Tuesday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 players from the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there were plenty of good choices to go around.

Why he's here: Brewer's best asset all season long was versatility. The 23-year-old from Bradley University played all three outfield positions and plugged into every spot in the batting order but the nine hole. In a year full of fluidity and tumult, Brewer brought stability from Day One until the close of the Eastern League Championship.

Although he wasn't the most vocal of players, Brewer, like so many others on the team, was part of a core that tasted a championship with High-A Tampa in 2009. And just like his teammates from that year, he wanted nothing more out of this season than to bring home another ring.

Although it didn't quite turn out that way, with Brewer's combination of speed, hitting and a pinch of pop, the Thunder came darn close.

Biggest moment of the season: I hate to go so cliche, but Brewer's biggest moment of the season didn't come during a game. Instead, his turning point was found away from the field, when he and hitting coach Frank Menechino made an adjustment in his stance that helped him snap out of a midsummer swoon.

The change, which came in late July, began to pay dividends almost immediately. He carried the team in August, hitting a robust .370/.435/.925 with two home runs and 23 RBIs.

Interesting quote: "I've actually been to two Cubs games in my life, and one was when Sosa hit his 61st and 62nd home runs. That was actually the first game I ever went to." -- Brewer, a White Sox fan, on his forays into enemy territory

Outlook for 2011: Brewer will more than likely move up to Scranton, but a return to Trenton to start the year isn't out of the question.

The Thunder topped Harrisburg tonight, 4-1, and there were two obvious shining stars: Dan Brewer and D.J. Mitchell. Brewer's three-run shot gave Trenton the edge it needed, and Mitchell continued his excellent work since the All-Star break.

Brewer credited a lot of his recent success -- he's now 16 of his last 34 (.471/.537/1.184) with 10 RBIs in his last 10 games --to a change hitting coach Frank Menechino made in his stance.

“Ever since the break, Frank and I have kind of evaluated my first half and where my swing was at, We made an adjustment with my stance, and it’s really helping me out, it’s helping me stay shorter."

"My approach mentally, especially, has been a big key. I’ve hit open my entire life, to be honest, and I closed it off and shortened my stride. It felt like I was facing right field (at first). But now, it feels pretty comfortable to me. It’s really helping me stay inside the ball and let my hands work a lot more.”

After Alfredo Aceves, in Trenton for the first of (as he tells it) at least two rehab starts, left, Mitchell entered. The Clemson alum tossed six innings of stellar baseball, and allowed just one unearned run in the process. He got 10 groundouts, six strikeouts, one pickoff and a flyout during his appearance. In summation, that's a 10:1 groundout-to-airout ratio, and it's pretty damn sick.

Here's Mitchell talking about his night:



As referred to earlier, Alfredo Aceves made a rehab appearance. Here's video footage to prove it.





Also, former Yankees hero Orlando Hernandez is now a reliever with Harrisburg. Here's video footage of him facing Brewer and Austin Romine.

The Thunder won tonight in dramatic fashion. They used a two-run ninth to take a 5-4 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels and a stop a small but vexing two-game skid. Below are videos of Dan Brewer, Austin Krum and Justin Snyder, as well as audio from Tony Franklin's postgame chat.

Be sure to check out Monday's edition of The Trentonian for a complete draft preview for the Yankees and Phillies, chock with quotes from Yanks special assignment scout Kevin Towers and Philly Director of Scouting Chuck LaMar. I will also have quotes from a host of Thunder players and coaches about what they remember from their draft days.

To say Brandon Laird had himself a good month is like saying Bill Gates can afford to look past the Dollar Menu. The third baseman was among the Eastern League leaders in nearly every offensive category, and formed easily the league's best 3-4 combo with Austin Romine. To wit, here's where Laird stood with the respect to his peers.

- 6th in AVG(.339)
- 1st in RBIs (33)
- 8th in HRs (6)
- 6th in OPS (.965)
- 4th in SLG (.591)
- 9th in 2B (9)
- T2nd in XBH (16)
- 3rd in H (39)

As for the rest of the team, Austin Krum was seventh in the league in OBP (.412) and tied for third in walks (17). Dan Brewer was third in SBs (8). On the negative side, both Lance Pendleton (18) and Jeremy Bleich (15) managed to land in the EL's top ten for walks allowed.

Here's a link to my off-day story about Dan Brewer, who has added a combination of speed and pop to the Thunder lineup. Also, below are two videos of the interview with Brewer conducted by myself and Bucks County Courier Times correspondent Ken Mandel

PITCHING MATCHUPS*

RHP David Phelps (3-0, 1.21) vs. RHP Eddie Kunz (3-2, 6.99)
RHP Lance Pendleton (1-2, 5.28) vs. RHP Dylan Owen (2-1, 3.34)
RHP DJ Mitchell (3-2, 5.23) vs. RHP Brad Holt (0-2, 9.72)
RHP Ryan Pope (1-3, 5.11) vs. RHP Scott Shaw (4-1, 8.02)
* (of course, this is all subject to weather)

WHO'S HOT

The Thunder in general. Trenton is riding a six-game winning streak, and have moved to two games above .500 for the first time since April 24. During that stretch, starting pitchers have claimed four of the six victories. Wilkins Arias recorded the other two. ... Over his last five games, Dan Brewer is 7-for-18 with three RBIs and three stolen bases. ... Marcos Vechionacci has four hits and three RBIs in his last seven at-bats. ... Tonight's starter, David Phelps, has permitted just four earned runs all season, and has a league-best 1.21 ERA to show for it. His 0.88 WHIP is second only to Richmond's David Mixon, the EL's reigning Pitcher of the Week.

Notes: The Thunder's last six wins have come against teams with sub-.500 records, one against Akron, three against Bowie and two against New Britain. The B-Mets are 19-14, and one spot ahead of Trenton in the EL East, so this series could be huge.

The Thunder used a 15-4 beatdown to punctuate a three-game sweep of the Bowie Baysox yesterday at Waterfront Park. Here's the game story.

Lost in the hubbub of the 15 runs was D.J. Mitchell's recovery from a rocky first inning to turn his best start in weeks. Here's that story.

Also, here's some video from yesterday's game. From top to bottom: Dan Brewer's double play scores a run, Mitchell talks about his outing and Hamilton High and Rider University star Jim Hoey gets Reid Gorecki to pop out.

Today, starting at 1 p.m., I'll be joining my colleagues at Waterfront Park for Media Day. For those of you who don't know, this is the day when the team makes the players and coaching staff available to reporters (and photographers/videographers) for a couple of hours before their inaugural batting practice and workout.

Normally, I'd be very hectic knowing I had only a couple of hours to round up and interview all the team's top players. This year, however, because I spent a few days down in Tampa for spring training, a good portion of my work is already done. I've already spoken with Brandon Laird, Austin Romine, David Adams, D.J. Mitchell, Jeremy Bleich, Christian Garcia, Damon Sublett and Tony Franklin (though I probably will speak to him again).

That means today I can focus on filling out my notebook by interviewing (the elusive) David Phelps, Tommy Phelps, Dan Brewer, Austin Krum, Kevin Smith, Josh Schmidt and the rest of the Thunder.

Of course, as you've seen so far on this blog, this year The Trentonian is expanding its coverage of the Thunder with videos and pictures (well, we've always taken pictures, but I'm new at it) on this blog and on the paper's Web site.

Check the blog this afternoon for full coverage, and be sure to pick up a copy of The Trentonian tomorrow for stories from the day that was. Additionally, remember to check newsstands on Thursday (Opening Day) for The Trentonian's special Thunder section. You don't want to miss it.

Here are some photos I took today. Clockwise from top are: Dan Brewer, Matt Cusick, Dellin Betances, Craig Heyer and Damon Sublett.

A little offense this time, but not enough pitching to stave off a tie.

PITCHING
David Phelps: 3 innings, 2 runs
Noel Castillo: 3 innings, 0 runs
Brad Rulon: 1 inning, 0 runs
HITTING
Dan Brewer: Solo HR
Jose Gil: Single, Run
Ray Kruml: Triple, RBI, Run
Kevin Smith: Single, RBI
Luis Nunez: Double, RBI
Walter Ibarra: Single

Here are some notable accomplishments in the Thunder's second exhibition game of the season, a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. All information provided by the team, courtesy of trainer Tim Lentych.

Ryan Pope: 2 1/3 IP, R
David Phelps: 2 2/3 IP, 0 R
Wilkin De La Rosa: 2 1/3 IP, 3 R
Phil Bartleski: 1 1/3 IP, R

Austin Krum: Double
Damon Sublett: Single
Ryan Baker: Double
Walter Ibarra: Triple, Single, R
Dan Brewer: Single, RBI