Defensive Miscues Prove Costly, Ports lose 6-5
Published on June 21, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif.- The Stockton Ports (25-44) could not hold on to a 5-3 lead, and gave up three runs in the ninth inning to fall to the San Jose Giants (41-28) Saturday night at Banner Island Ballpark, 6-5. The San Jose Giants secured their fifth North Division title with the win.
Both teams committed errors, which proved costly in the contest. The Ports committed two errors in the ninth inning, and the tying and winning runs were scored with two out. Justin Friend picked up his first blown save of the season and his third loss. Scott Mitchinson started the game for the Ports, allowing two runs on three hits. Scott Hodsdon had a solid outing in relief, allowing one unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Steve Edelfsen collected his first win in the game.
The Giants jumped ahead to a 2-0 lead in the first. After Tyler Graham flew out to start the game, Brian Bocock hit a single. Left fielder Thomas Neal then was hit by a pitch to put two on with one out. Catcher Buster Posey grounded out to shortstop Frank Martinez. Right fielder Roger Kieschnick then slammed the ball to left field. Ports outfielder Shane Keough lost the ball in the sun and over ran it. The ball dropped in left field for a hit, and Kieschnick made it safely to third, as both runners scored. Mitchinson then got first baseman Angel Villalona to strike out looking to get out of the jam. Mitchinson retired six of the next seven batters he faced.
In the fourth inning, with right-handed pitcher Scott Hodsdon on the mound, San Jose struck again, pulling ahead, 3-0. Kieschnick grounded out to begin the inning. Villalona came up to bat, and hit the ball sky high, just inside fair territory near the third base line. Ports catcher Matt Smith circled under the ball, and third baseman Christian Vitters charged in, but the ball dropped down between them. Villalona was credited with an infield single. He was followed on base by third baseman Conor Gillaspie, who walked.
Hodsdon struck out designated hitter Ryan Lormand for the second out of the inning. Then second baseman Nick Noonan hit a ball to shallow right field that was bobbled by second baseman Michael Richard. Villalona scored on the error, and Gillaspie also tried to come home. Gillaspie was caught in a run down, and tagged by Smith for the third out of the inning.
The Ports tied the game in the sixth frame. First baseman Yusuf Carter led off the attack with his second single of the game, and San Jose replaced starter Oliver Odle with reliever Daniel Turpen. Vitters welcomed Turpen to the game by notching a single. After Keough struck out for the first out of the frame, Todd Johnson hit a soft tap but reliever Turpen threw it wildly to first, allowing Johnson to reach safely and for Carter to score. Then shortstop Frank Martinez slammed a single to right field. Vitters and Johnson came around the bases to score, and Martinez was put out on a 9-6 play at second base. Smith grounded out to end the inning, but three runs knotted Stockton with San Jose.
Stockton's offense continued to work in the seventh inning, and the Ports took advantage of a key San Jose error for their first lead of the game. Richard got things rolling with his first single of the game, and was followed on base by Jermaine Mitchell, who walked. Carter then hit a fielder's choice, and all runners were safe as Gillaspie's throw to second baseman Noonan was not in time. San Jose then replaced Turpen with southpaw Wilmin Rodriguez. Vitters knocked the ball toward Villalona, who bobbled the ball. Vitters reached first safely on the error and Richard touched home plate for the Ports' fourth run. Keough then slammed a high sacrifice fly to left fielder Neal, and Mitchell came around to score. Johnson broke his bat as he grounded out to Villalona, and the inning ended with the Ports ahead, 5-3.
The Giants were not finished, however. They added a trio of runs to retake the lead in the top of the ninth. With Justin Friend on the mound for Stockton, Villalona singled to get things started for San Jose. Gillaspie was then hit by a pitch to put two runners on with no out. With David Maroul pinch-hitting for Lormand, Friend tried to catch the runner at second, but the ball went past Michael Richard, and both runners moved up a bag. Maroul flew out to shallow right field for the first out of the inning. Friend struck out Noonan for the second out of the inning. Center fielder Tyler Graham singled, and both runners came home safely to tie the game. With Bocock at bat, Graham stole second. Bocock then hit the ball to Martinez, who committed the Ports' fourth error of the contest by throwing wildly to Carter. Bocock reached first safely and allowed Graham to score San Jose's sixth run.
Friend got Neal to strike out swinging to get out of the frame, but the damage had been done. In the bottom of the ninth, the Ports went down in order to seal the loss.
The Ports and Giants will compete in the final game of the first half of the season at 2:05 p.m. on Sunday at Banner Island Ballpark. RHP Mathieu LeBlanc Poirier (0-3, 5.79) will look for his first win against LHP Paul Oseugera (0-2, 5.56) in the contest.
Dodgers legend and 1962 NL MVP Maury Wills will make an appearance at Father's Day and will sign autographs free for fans for two hours. The first 1,000 men ages 18 and older will receive a personal mister fan, sponsored by SMACNA and HVACEXPERTISE.com. Additionally, fathers can play catch in the outfield with their children prior to the game, and kids can run the bases after the game.
California League Stories from June 21, 2009
- Big Inning Lifts Giants To Victory In First Half Finale - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Split Four-Game Set With Storm - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Ports Drop Final Game of First Half, 8-2 - Stockton Ports
- Milton, Johnson Tag-Team To Shut Out Mavs - Inland Empire 66ers
- Giants Stage Ninth-Inning Rally To Win First Half Title - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Fall to Storm 10-1 - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Defensive Miscues Prove Costly, Ports lose 6-5 - Stockton Ports
- Nuts Bullpen Holds Back JetHawks in 7-3 Modesto Win - Lancaster JetHawks
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