Late Surge by Giants upends Ports, 6-4
Published on June 20, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif.- The Stockton Ports (25-43) kept the San Jose Giants (40-28) hitless until the sixth frame, but then allowed four runs on five hits in the last three innings to drop Friday night's game 6-4.
Starter Michael Madsen made his first appearance of the season, tossing 3.0 hitless and scoreless innings. He issued two walks and struck out three. Relievers Andrew Carignan, Lance Sewell, Nick Walters, Pat Currin and Leonardo Espinal all appeared in the contest for Stockton. Currin picked up his second blown save and his third loss, allowing all four runs on five hits.
Jemile Weeks finished the game 1x4, collecting a single in the ninth frame to extend his hitting streak to 19 games. Matt Smith and Shane Keough both had two hits in the game. The Ports went 3x11 in the contest with runners in scoring position, and left nine runners on base.
The Ports were the first to score, plating a run in the third inning. Shortstop Michael Richard led off the action with a single. Right fielder Jermaine Mitchell then walked to put two on with one out. Jemile Weeks then reached first on a fielder's choice, as Giants third baseman Connor Gillaspie tossed the ball to second baseman Nick Noonan to try to put out Mitchell. The throw pulled Noonan off the bag, so Mitchell was called safe. Noonan argued the call with first base umpire Spencer Flynn, but to no avail. The bases were loaded for catcher Yusuf Carter, who hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Richard. First baseman Christian Vitters flew out to end the inning. Noonan was ejected at the end of the inning by Flynn.
The Giants responded by tying the game in the top of the fourth. Right-handed pitcher Andrew Carignan replaced Madsen on the mound in that inning. Shortstop Brian Bocock and left fielder Thomas Neal both walked. Catcher Buster Posey flew out and Bocock scored as right fielder Roger Kieschnick hit a sacrifice fly.
Stockton came right back, and added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. Smith doubled to lead things off-his second double in as many games. Left fielder Keough then collected his second single of the game to put two on and no out for third baseman Frank Martinez. Martinez hit an RBI single to score Smith. David Thomas continued the hit parade with his first single of the game. Richard then grounded into a double play, and Keough scored on the play. Mitchell then stepped up to the plate, and reached first on an error by Ryan Lormand, who replaced Noonan at second. Martinez scored the third and final run of the inning on the play.
The Ports lost the no-hitter with two outs in the sixth inning, allowing a solo home run to catcher Buster Posey on a 3-2 count. Posey dropped his eleventh bomb of the season well over the Black Oak Casino Bullpen BBQ section in left field, to make it a 4-2 game.
The Ports had an opportunity to break open the game in the seventh, loading the bases with no out. But San Jose reliever Wilmin Rodriguez struck out Vitters, tossed out Richard at the plate as Vitters reached first on a fielder's choice, and then got Smith to fly out to get out of the inning unscathed.
The Giants bats came alive in the eighth inning, as San Jose got their first lead of the game. With two out and Ports reliever Currin on the hill, left fielder Thomas Neal hit a bloop infield single that dropped just behind the pitcher's mound. Posey then hit a ground rule double off the Chase Chevrolet sign in center field, and Neal came from first to score. Kieschnick slammed a two-run home run into the Metro PCS Home Run Hill in center field to put the Giants ahead, 5-4.
The Ports ran into more trouble in the top of the ninth. Gillaspie led off with a single, and was followed on base by David Maroul, who also singled. Maroul was replaced with Skyler Stromsmoe as a pinch runner on the bases. Lormand then hit into a fielder's choice which put out Gillaspie at third. The Ports replaced Currin with right-handed pitcher Leonardo Espinal, who hit Tyler Graham to load the bases. Bocock struck out swinging, but the ball got past Carter, and Stromsmoe scored the Giants' sixth run. Neal grounded out to end the inning.
With the Giants ahead, 6-4, the Ports worked to find a little comeback magic. Richard led off the inning with a single over the head of Lormand. But then Mitchell hit into a double play. With two out and his 18-game hitting streak on the line, Weeks walked up to the plate. With a 1-2 count, Weeks singled to Lormand to keep his streak and the Ports alive. Weeks was replaced on the basepaths by Todd Johnson. Carter then stepped up to the plate, and he popped out to Lormand to end the inning.
The Ports will take on the Giants in Game 3 of the series at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday. RHP Scott Mitchinson (0-1, 4.29) will take the mound for Stockton, while RHP Oliver Odle (3-6, 5.69) will start for the Giants. Saturday is "Go Green Night" at Banner Island Ballpark, and the Ports are hosting an electronics drive, which is sponsored by Universal Service Recycling. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will also receive a dual U.S. Olympics bobblehead of 2008 Ports pitchers Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson.
California League Stories from June 20, 2009
- Kieschnick's Home Run Propels Giants Into First Place - San Jose Giants
- Leandro Cespedes Leads JetHawks to Third Straight Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- Torres Pitches Quakes to 2-0 Victory over Storm - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Late Surge by Giants upends Ports, 6-4 - Stockton Ports
- Gonzalez Walk-Off Caps Sixers Rally - Inland Empire 66ers
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