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TRENTON- Tuesday, April 26. A rainbow appears during a rain delay as the Trenton Thunder host the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. (Sean Miller NJ.com)

TRENTON- Bobby Mitchell is running out of superlatives to describe Ronald Herrera.

Just when you think Herrera can not get any better on the mound, he goes out and throws a gem, as part of a special night in Trenton.

In his third start of the season with the Thunder, Herrera allowed no hits in eight innings of work, to completely stymie the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (7-10) Tuesday night. The Thunder (11-8) won 4-0, as they scored all four runs Herrera would need in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Jonathan Holder came in to get three straight outs in the ninth, for only the second nine-inning no-hitter in Thunder history.

"Isn't that amazing? The guy is amazing," Thunder manager Mitchell said. "He is just so cool under pressure. He just gets out there and throws strikes, and has proven already that he is a big leaguer in the making."

"Being 20 years old, and mix his pitches, and throw the way he does," Mitchell said. "It is really impressive."

Herrera (3-0) was sublime, and lowered his ERA to 1.29 in April. With his plethora of pitches to choose from, each time he peers in to the catcher, Herrera has been tough to handle for opposing batters. He was dominant once again, as he allowed just three base runners. Herrera never gave the Fisher Cats a chance.

His changeup is devastating, and he has used that pitch to maximum effectiveness all season. It was key Tuesday, as all night he kept hitters off balance.

"First of all, I have to thank God for everything he has done for me, and keeping me healthy so I can do what I love to do," Herrera said through pitching coach Jose Rosado. "During the off season, I was very focused. Everything I was doing is starting to pay off so far. I am just going to continue to stay focused, and do my job."

"I know the results would come after that," Herrera said. "Early in the game, I didn't have my best fastball command, but I kept throwing my changeups. They allowed me to get some quick outs, especially with his lineup, that had so many lefties. Then later on, I was able to get my fastball command."

"Putting those two pitches together was the key to me having success," Herrera said.

Holder came into the game after Herrera exited having thrown 105 pitches. The reliever made a jumping play on a Roemen Fields ground ball up the middle to keep the no-no intact, then struck out John Berti to start the celebrations.

"They called down to the pen, and said get Holder going," Holder said. "I was thinking, wasn't that against the no-hitter rules, but I got going, and stayed in tune with the game. Then the ninth came, and they said Holder is in."

"I knew then that I had to do that for Herrera, because he pitched such a great game," Holder said. "It was outstanding, and so much fun to watch."

"I wasn't really thinking much (when I saw the ball in my glove," Holder said. "We practice those every day, so I had it in my glove and threw it. That is the first one I have been a part of."

Herrera wanted the ball for the ninth, but understood that his coaches were looking out for his best interests.

"No doubt that I would have liked to go out for the ninth, but I respect the decision that the staff made on it," Herrera said. "The decision was made in regards to my future. But there is no doubt I would have liked to get the three outs."

The rubber game is Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., and New Hampshire will not get much of a break, with Dietrich Enns on the mound for Trenton. Enns has not allowed a run in three starts this season.

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The Thunder batted around in the bottom of the fifth inning, for all the offense they would need on the night.

Juan Silva had an RBI double, to give the hosts the lead. With runners on first and second, Silva tried to lay down a bunt on an 0-1 count, but it went foul. His check swing on 0-2 found the outfield grass, just inside the left field line, to bring home Dan Fiorito.

Back-to-back walks to Cito Culver and Tyler Wade brought the second run, and Jake Cave singled to make it 3-0. The final run of the frame was forced in when Kyle Higashioka walked with two outs.

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It was the second nine inning no-hitter in franchise history. The duo joined Tyler Clippard, who no-hit the Harrisburg Senators 9-0 on August 17, 2006.

This was the first nine inning no-hitter for the Thunder at ARM & HAMMER Park.

Contact Sean Miller at seanmillertrentontimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheProdigalSean