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Trenton, NJ - Trenton Starting pitcher Eric Hacker tossed solid innings to lead the Thunder past the Harrisburg Senators 6-1 on Wednesday night at Waterfront Park. Trenton won its sixth straight game, and reduced its magic number to clinch a playoff spot to one. Trenton's magic number to clinch the Northern Division is four.

Trenton (79-50) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a double-play ground ball by Center fielder Austin Jackson off of Harrisburg Starting pitcher Tim Bittner. The Thunder extended the lead to 2-0 in the third inning as Shortstop Reegie Corona scored on an error by Harrisburg shortstop Ian Desmond. Harrisburg scored its lone run in the fifth inning on a solo home run by First baseman Bill Rhinehart. The home run cut the Trenton lead to 2-1. But, the Thunder would tack on three

runs in the sixth inning to take control of the game. Left fielder Colin Curtis led off the frame with a single against Harrisburg reliever Carlos Martinez. Catcher P.J. Pilittere followed with a two-run home run to increase the lead to 4-1. Later in the inning, Corona drove home a run with an RBI single to make it 5-1. Corona had two hits, scored two runs, and delivered an RBI in the victory. Trenton scored its final run in the eighth inning on an RBI single by Second baseman Walter Ibarra.

Hacker (7-3) allowed only three hits and one run in six innings of work. He struck out six and walked two. Hacker has not allowed more than three runs in any of his 16 starts for the Thunder. Trenton's bullpen combined to hurl three shutout innings. Thunder reliever Oneli Perez retired all six batters he faced in the final two innings, and also struck out five. Bittner (2-5) gave up three hits and two runs (one earned) in five innings to take the loss for Harrisburg. Curtis, Right fielder Edwar Gonzalez and Third baseman Kevin Russo each had two hits in the win for Trenton.  

Trenton will go for the sweep on Thursday night against Harrisburg.  Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.  RHP Jason Jones (12-5, 2.89) will start for Trenton, and he will be opposed by Harrisburg RHP Bobby Brownlie (8-3, 4.00). 

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