RESULTS

Monday: Thunder 8, New Britain 2
Tuesday: Thunder 2, New Britain 1
Wednesday: PPD

KEY TO THE SERIES: Given the fact that they allowed just three runs in 18 innings, I'd say starting pitching. As a matter of fact, Trenton starters have given up just seven earned runs over their last 35 innings. No starter during that time has allowed more than two earned runs in a start. I don't know if that's because they're getting over an early-season hump, or because they've been facing suspect competition (Akron, Bowie, New Britain), but David Phelps' effort tonight against Binghamton.

RESULTS

Friday: Thunder 11, Erie 5
Saturday: Erie 10, Thunder 4
Sunday: Erie 4, Thunder 3

Key to the series: As has been the case so often lately, bad pitching has cost the Thunder big time. Jeremy Bleich continued to walk people (he has an Eastern League-leading 19 in 25 1/3 innings), and the bullpen continued to blow games (Grant Duff allowed a walk-off bomb to Max St. Pierre on Sunday). Thunder pitchers issued 10 free passes over 14 2/3 innings. Currently, Trenton is walking an average of 4.21 men per game, up from last year's mark of 3.65. This is not a good trend. Also interesting: The relievers in the Erie series walked nobody.

Notes: The Thunder are tied with Akron for the most walks allowed in the Eastern League, but have also given up the fewest hits. That amazes me to no end. It must frustrate the hell out of Tony Franklin and Tommy Phelps. ... Austin Romine and Reid Gorecki each notched their first Thunder home runs in the series, and Jose Gil, Marcos Vechionacci, Luis Nunez and Brandon Laird also went deep. The Thunder are second in the league (behind only Portland) in doubles.

RESULTS

Friday: New Hampshire 4, Trenton 3, 10 innings
Saturday: New Hampshire 4, Trenton 1
Sunday: New Hampshire 14, Trenton 12

What went wrong: Pretty much everything. The bullpen blew three saves and accrued four of the Thunder's six losses on the seven-game homestand. After scoring four runs over the first 19 innings of the series, they scored a dozen in the third game ... and still lost. ... The team was 8-for-34 with runners in scoring position. Over the first and second contests they were 2-for-14. ... Thunder catchers went just 1-for-6 against Fisher Cat base stealers.

What went right: Of course, they did manage to put up 12 runs in the series finale. And they did it without Austin Romine, who is on an 11-game hitting streak, in the lineup. Edwar Gonzalez went 2-for-5 with a double and a triple. Marcos Vechionacci had a home run. ... The Thunder also swiped nine bases in the series.

Monday: Fisher Cats 5, Thunder 4
Tuesday: Fisher Cats 2, Thunder 1
Wednesday: Thunder 13, Fisher Cats 3

Key to the Series: Oh, those bases on balls. If not for Jeremy Bleich's six walks in Game 2, then maybe we're talking about a Thunder series win. After all, Bleich allowed just three hits in 5 1/3 innings. Overall, Bleich has walked 11 men in 17 2/3 innings but has held the opposition to a .164 average against. If he can limit those walks, he'll be truly dominant.

Honorable mention: David Adams, who right now is as hot as bacon grease. Including an 0-for-4 in Game 1, went 5-for-11 with a double, a grand slam and four walks. His season line moves to .388/.455/1.087. Thing is, if he keeps hitting like this, where is he going to go? Scranton has two middle infielders who are on the 40-man.

Game 1: Trenton 4, Portland 2
Game 2: PPD
Game 3: Trenton 3, Portland 1
Game 4: Portland 2, Trenton 1

Key to the series: Besides rain, I'd say the Thunder won this set with some really nice pitching from Jeremy Bleich and D.J. Mitchell. Bleich put together his second fantastic start of the season, and Mitchell one-hit the Sea Dogs over five innings for his first Double-a win.

Honorable mention: Damon Sublett's home run in the 11th inning in Game 1 was obviously huge, and the stellar relief work from Wilkin De La Rosa gave the Thunder time to rally.

Notes: Brandon Laird hit his first home run of the season, over the Maine Monster at Hadlock Field. ... The Thunder are now 7-3 and lead the EL East by a game.

RESULT: Akron 2, Thunder 1
Monday: Akron 4, Thunder 2
Tuesday: Akron 5, Thunder 1
Wednesday: Thunder 4, Akron 3

Key to the Series: Timely hitting. Except for Wednesday's game, the Thunder just couldn't come up in the clutch. The team was just 1-for-21 with runners in scoring position, the lone knock being Austin Krum's two-run single that gave the Thunder the eventual win in the series finale.

Honorable Mention: David Adams extended his hitting streak to seven games. Overall, Adams is hitting .481 (12-for-25) this season

Notes: Grant Duff has appeared in five of the seven games so far. ... The Thunder have just three home runs (Luis Nunez, David Adams and Damon Sublett) but have allowed only one (Beau Mills)

RESULT: Thunder sweep, 4-0.
Thursday: Thunder 4, Erie 0
Friday: Thunder 3, Erie 1
Saturday: Thunder 3, Erie 0
Sunday: Thunder 5, Erie 1

Key to the Series: Starting pitching. Christian Garcia, Ryan Pope, Jeremy Bleich and David Phelps combined for 22 2/3 innings of two-run baseball. They've struck out 22 during that time, and walked just three. If Pope and Bleich, two starters who had rocky seasons in 2009, can be as strong as they looked in their opening outings, it's going to be a long year for opposing hitters.

Honorable Mention: David Adams. He's hitting .500 so far (8-for-16) and has driven in five of the team's 15 runs. He's had three multi-hit games so far, including a three-hit effort on Saturday.

Notes: This is the first time the Thunder have won their first four games since 1999, when they won nine in a row to start the year. ... Justin Snyder went 2-for-3 in his 2010 debut.