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08/30/2006 11:16 PM ET
Thunder win first division title since '99
Another strong pitching effort allows Trenton to sweep into playoffs
By Carl Dispoto / Special to MLB.com
Trenton sealed its title with a sweep keyed by Phil Hughes in the opener and Francisco Butto in the 'cap. (Dan Cichalski)

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Francisco Butto went five strong innings as Trenton secured the Eastern League North division title with a 1-0 win over Erie in Wednesday's doubleheader nightcap.

The Thunder had moved closer to winning their first division title since 1999 with a 2-0 victory in the opener of the twin bill behind phenom Phil Hughes.

Butto (1-1) picked up where Hughes left off, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out four in his fifth start. He notched his first win as a starter and his first since April 29.

Butto had little trouble until the fifth inning when Nick McIntyre hit a leadoff single and stole second base with two outs. Don Kelly walked and Brent Clevlan singled to load the bases before Butto retired Jackson Melian to escape the jam.

Gerardo Casadiego struck out four in two perfect innings to secure his first save for the Thunder (77-60), who won the division after an 0-10 start to the season.

Randy Ruiz provided the game's only offense with a bases-loaded grounder that plated Jason Brown in the fifth inning for Trenton, which has won four straight games after losing four of its previous five.

Erie starter P.J. Finigan gave up two hits and two walks in four innings before Mark Woodyard (1-2) surrendered the game's only run.

The SeaWolves (58-78) have lost four straight games and six of their last nine overall.

Carl Dispoto is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.