(Trenton, NJ) – The Trenton Thunder scored seven runs off Justin Masterson (1-3) to take the series finale from the Sea Dogs 7-2 on Thursday night at Waterfront Park. Portland took two of three from the Thunder and drop to a game and ½ behind Trenton for the top spot in the Northern Division.

Jason Jones (6-0) became the Eastern League’s first 6-game winner, hurling seven strong innings on seven hits and one run. Jones lone blemish came on Mickey Hall’s RBI single in the fifth inning.

Masterson surrendered seven runs for just the second time in his Double-A career – both at Waterfront Park. The righty was perfect during innings one, two and four but surrendered the seven runs over the third, fifth and six frames.

The Sea Dogs added their second run in the eighth inning on a two-out RBI double by Zach Daeges. Daeges has hit safely in 14 of 15 games, going 20-for-45 (.444) during that span.

Mike James worked two scoreless frames for Portland and fanned two. James has been scoreless in 6 of his last 8 appearances. Mark Melancon made his Double-A debut for Trenton and fanned four over two innings, yielding two hits and one run.

Trenton scored four times with two outs on a 2-run single by Edwar Gonzalez and a 2-run triple by Ramiro Pena. Pena knocked in three, drilling a run-scoring single in the third. Chris Malec had three hits and scored three times – Kevin Russo went 2-for-3 with an RBI double.

The Sea Dogs earned 23 walks during the first two games but had none in the series finale. Portland had a hit from eight of nine starters but went 1-for-5 with runners-in-scoring position.

On Friday night the Sea Dogs start a 4-game series in three days with the Rock Cats in New Britain. LHP Dustin Richardson (3-3, 4.50) faces LHP Ryan Mullins (3-2, 3.25) in the series opener. The two teams will play a day/night doubleheader on Saturday.

Notes…Tony Granadillo went 1-for-3 and hit safely in all three games…Masterson’s ERA soared to 4.23 from 3.06…LHP Carlos Vasquez was in uniform for the Sea Dogs – he is taking the place of LHP Hunter Jones, who was promoted to Pawtucket earlier in the day.