TRENTON- Ronald Herrera throws strikes, and that is good news for the Trenton Thunder. With the Thunder hosting the Erie Seawolves in the rubber game of the opening series of the 2016 season, Herrera took the ball, and battled through a first inning scare to shut down the Seawolves. Trenton won 6-2, to take the series two games to one....
TRENTON- Ronald Herrera throws strikes, and that is good news for the Trenton Thunder.
With the Thunder hosting the Erie Seawolves in the rubber game of the opening series of the 2016 season, Herrera took the ball, and battled through a first inning scare to shut down the Seawolves.
Trenton won 6-2, to take the series two games to one.
Herrera (1-0) got hit with a line drive off the bat of Alberto Gonzalez, with Herrera's fifth pitch of the game. But he limited Erie to just one run in the frame, which was the only offense the visitors could muster against Herrera in his 5.1 innings of work.
"It is part of the game," Herrera said through translator, and Thunder pitching coach, Jose Rosado, about the line drive hitting him.
"My fastball command was good, and that always helps when I throw my breaking balls, even when I am behind in the counts," Herrera said. "So I was very focused on that."
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The Trenton (2-1) batters chased Erie (1-2) starting pitcher Tommy Collier after just one third of an inning. Six of the seven batters Collier faced reached base, including the first five in the Thunder lineup, as the hosts jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead after one.
Jake Cave had a two-RBI double, following a Tyler Austin walk, to put Trenton up 3-1. Following a Vincente Conde strikeout, Jose Rosario doubled in Cave and Austin
That offensive outburst was more than enough for Herrera. The 20-year old righty allowed only one run, on four hits, and struck out six. He mixed in some good off-speed pitches with his fastball, and threw 62 strikes, on 89 total pitches.
"When you get some run support early, you are able to settle down, and throw strikes early in the count," Herrera said. "I am able to get some early contact, and work quicker for my teammates."
With a fastball topping out in the low 90's, Herrera relies on his other pitches to get out opposing hitters. He has two good breaking pitches, and a changeup, that he can locate in the zone.
"I always focus on trying to keep the hitters off balance," Herrera said. "It is always good when you are able to command three or four pitches. That is what I did. I tried to mix it up, and keep them off balance."
Thunder manager Bobby Mitchell has been impressed with Herrera's ability to locate his pitches.
"It is huge (for Herrera to throw strikes)," Mitchell said. "He is not going to walk too many guys. He is going to get swings at balls that are just off the plate, just because he does that."
"To have command with all of his pitches like he does (is big)," Mitchell said. "He can throw that changeup in there at any time, and he did. He did a real good job, and kept them off balance."
"We all know as hitters, you are trying to stay on balance," Mitchell said. "As a pitcher, you are trying to get them off balance. I think he does a real good job at that.
"To be around the plate is huge, because he is not going to get in so much trouble," Mitchell said. "Because he doesn't walk too many guys. He does a good job. He has a clean delivery, and is so poised. But I kind of expected it after seeing him this spring."
Contact Sean Miller at seanmillertrentontimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheProdigalSean