(Trenton, NJ) - Jose Tabata's RBI fielder's choice in the second inning produced the only run in the series opener as the Trenton Thunder beat the Portland Sea Dogs 1-0 at Waterfront Park on Friday night.

Phil Coke (1-1) earned his first Double-A win, firing seven scoreless innings and establishing a career-high in strikeouts with 11. Coke allowed only five hits - four came in the first three innings.

Michael Gardner picked up his fourth save of the season, working two scoreless innings on one hit.

In the ninth inning, the Sea Dogs had Ryan Khoury (2-for-4) at third base with nobody out but failed to score. Jeff Corsaletti struckout, Khoury was caught in a run down (John Otness hit into a fielder’s choice) and Aaron Bates grounded out to end the game.

Michael Bowden (1-3) took the loss for Portland but was terrific for a second straight start. The righty scattered four hits and fanned six. Bowden has worked six innings in back-to-back starts without yielding a walk.

Sean Danielson went 3-for-4 and was thrown out at home in the second inning on a single by Khoury. Portland had a threat in the second inning with two on and nobody out but failed to score.

Trenton's run was setup on singles by Matt Carson and Cody Ehlers - Tabata beat out a doubleplay to pick up his 11th RBI of the season.

The Sea Dogs are 0-4 on their roadtrip and have scored seven runs over that span. On Saturday night, Kris Johnson (2-1, 4.94) will make his sixth start of the season for Portland. The Thunder will counter with righty Jason Jones, who is 4-0, 2.61 in 5 starts.

Notes...Jose Vaquedano worked two scoreless innings and has allowed one earned run in 19.2 IP (0.51 ERA)...Danielson and Khoury had five of Portland's six hits - Aaron Bates went 1-for-3...Friday's took 2 hours and 20 minutes - the quickest game this season.