Juan Silva pinch hit for A-Rod and won the game for the Thunder Watch video
TRENTON- When a New York Yankees player comes to Trenton, there is usually some fanfare surrounding the contest.
Tuesday night was no different, as Alex Rodriguez made the trip from the Bronx to suit up for the Thunder, as they took on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Trenton won the game 3-2 in 11 innings, as Juan Silva, who replaced Rodriguez in the ninth inning, singled in Cito Culver with two outs to give the Thunder (24-19) another home win.
"Bobby decided when he was coming out, and he came to me a told me I was going to pinch-hit for A-Rod," Silva said. "It was awesome, taking over for one of the best players."
"I was just thinking about the game situation," Silva said. "I came up against the lefty first at-bat, with good stuff. I got another at-bat, and I got to finish the game. Afterwards, I thought about that I took over for him, and it was pretty exciting."
A-Rod was in the lineup for Trenton, batting third in the DH slot, as the Thunder looked to win the first two games of a four-game set with the Fisher Cats. He came up big for the hosts in the third inning, with an RBI single up the middle off of John Anderson, to give Trenton a 1-0 lead.
His single with one out in the bottom of the seventh loaded the bases for Tyler Austin, who walked to force home Cito Culver.
The DH ended the Thunder fifth inning with a fielders choice ground-out to third base. Rodriguez was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the ninth by Silva, and finished the night 2-for-4.
Rodriguez will be here for two nights, as Yankees manager Joe Girardi told the player on Monday that he would be heading down to the Thunder.
"I have no idea (how long it'll last)," said Rodriguez. "I'm an employee."
"I'm not going to tell you exactly the details, but it was very positive conversation," A-Rod said. "Look, I have tons of respect and trust for Joe, so when he makes a request, I put a lot of value into that. He thought it would be a good idea for me to get some at-bats, and that's great."
With a near sell-out crowd of 6,217 fans, for what should be two straight nights with Rodriguez in town, the Thunder looked to build some more momentum at home. They have been red-hot at ARM & HAMMER Park, going 18-7. Trenton has not lost a series at home this season.
It is a stark contrast to the Thunder's play on the road, where they are 6-12. Trenton has won just one series in their travels, at Erie, to end the month of April.
With 14 of their next 20 games, and 20 of 32, on the road following Thursday's 10:30 a.m. series finale with the Fisher Cats, the Thunder will look to get a boost from this four game set.
"It is always nice to be the home team, you know," Mitchell said. "Because you always have that last shot to do it. We always feel confident that we can come back and win ball games."
"I don't know why on the road though," Mitchell said. "We always seem to be battling, but I really can't say what the reason is."
"This field is a little bit bigger than others," Mitchell said. "We hit a couple of balls to right field tonight that probably would have been out in other parks. Hopefully it will turn around on the road."
Reigning Eastern League Player of the Month Dietrich Enns will get the ball Wednesday night, after a stint in Scranton Wilkes-Barre.
TRACY, MONTGOMERY, SMITH LOVE THE EPL
Contact Sean Miller at seanmillertrentontimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheProdigalSean