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Chris Malec, the Trenton third baseman, comes up throwing and gets Portland's Sandy Madera at first base after fielding a grounder Sunday at Hadlock Field. The Thunder scored five times in the ninth to pull away to an 8-2 win.

enlarge Doug Jones/Staff Photographer

Portland starter Michael Bowden gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings, including a two-run homer by Edwar Gonzalez in the sixth.

TODAY'S GAME

WHO: Sea Dogs (Dave Gassner 0-3) at Trenton Thunder (Eric Hacker 2-1)

WHEN: 7:05 p.m.

There is a reason the Trenton Thunder lead the Eastern League's Northern Division.

They've got the arms.

Trenton again shut down the Portland Sea Dogs in an 8-2 victory Sunday at Hadlock Field.

The Thunder (49-32) won the last two games of the three-game series to open a four-game lead over the Sea Dogs (44-35) and Binghamton Mets (45-36).

Portland has scored two runs – one earned – in its last 16 innings against the Thunder, who lead the league with a 2.89 ERA and overcame deficits in the last two games.

"(The pitchers) have done a wonderful job of keeping us in the game," said Trenton outfielder Edwar Gonzalez.

Gonzalez hit a two-run homer against Michael Bowden (7-4) to give Trenton a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning.

The Thunder then scored five runs in the ninth to turn a close game into a rout.

Portland created a few chances against Trenton starter Phil Coke (7-3) but left seven runners on base. The Sea Dogs managed only one hit over the last three innings against reliever Steven Jackson.

One reason Coke and Jackson were successful is that they throw strikes. Portland leads the league in walks, but they got only two walks, one intentional, on Sunday.

Bowden was strong at the start, retiring his first seven batters. But the Thunder eventually got to him for seven hits, three walks and three runs over 5 1/3 innings.

"He has a lot of deception and he hides the ball," Gonzalez said. "It's hard to get the timing on him.

"Once you get the timing, it gets a little easier."

Gonzalez popped out in foul territory and struck out against Bowden before hitting a fastball over the center-field wall.

"Besides the home run that I left up in the zone, I thought I threw the ball real well today," Bowden said. "I was mixing it well, throwing all three pitches for strikes."

Bowden has allowed three or fewer runs in his last 13 starts and has a 2.48 ERA.

"Michael did a nice job," Portland Manager Arnie Beyeler said. "Just a little up in the zone today."

Bowden carried a 2-1 lead into the sixth. Portland scored an unearned run in the second. Sandy Madera reached on a fielding error and scored on a double by Zach Daeges.

In the fifth, Ryan Khoury singled and eventually scored on Tony Granadillo's single. Portland then loaded the bases, but Daeges grounded out.

After Bowden gave up Gonzalez's home run, he got his sixth strikeout and then left after issuing a walk.

Daniel Bard relieved Bowden, and Joe Muich worked a nine-pitch walk. After Reegie Corona walked on 10 pitches to load the bases, Bard then got a strikeout and a flyout, but not before he threw 29 pitches and was done.

"When a guy goes out and throws 30 pitches in one inning, then someone has to go out and pick his (next) inning up," Beyeler said.

That ended up hurting Portland. Mike James pitched two perfect innings, but tired in the ninth. He allowed four hits and left with two runners on and the score 5-2.

Daniel Haigwood relieved and gave up a three-run homer to Jose Tabata.

Both teams left soon after the game for Trenton, N.J., where they begin a four-game series tonight at Waterfront Park.

NOTES: Portland starter Matt Goodson will have his elbow examined today after it tightened during Saturday's start.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com