NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Six-Run Eighth Inning Gives Ports 9-5 Win

August 31, 2010 - California League (CalL1) - Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Ports (70-63) wrapped up the regular season at home with an exciting come-from-behind win on Monday night, overcoming the San Jose Giants (71-62), by a 9-5 final with a six-run eighth inning.

The Ports retain their 4.0 game lead over the second-place Bakersfield Blaze in the second half standings, decreasing their magic number to 4, to clinch the division. The Ports, after a three-game series this week at Modesto, will face the Blaze for four games to end the regular season.

Grant Green hit a three-run home run to put the Ports ahead, 6-5, in the eighth, and the Ports went through the order as they added some insurance runs that inning. Green, along with Tyler Ladendorf and David Thomas, collected two hits in the contest. The Ports totaled 11 hits in Monday's win.

Stockton starter Justin Murray allowed four runs on five hits in 5.1 frames. Scott Deal picked up his second win on the year, tossing three perfect frames to shut down the Giants and close out the game. Edwin Quirarte got the loss, his ninth, on Monday.

The Giants struck first, as a solo shot by left fielder James Simmons gave San Jose a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. They pulled ahead, 2-0, in the top of the third. Catcher Matt Klimas led off the third inning by reaching on a throwing error by second baseman Tyler Ladendorf. He moved to second as shortstop Ehire Adrianza hit a bunt single. Center fielder Juan Perez then hit a sacrifice bunt to move the runners along. While Jose Flores was batting, Murray threw a wild pitch that allowed Klimas to score.

The Ports scored their first run in the bottom of the third to make it a 2-1 ballgame. Thomas walked to start the offense. He went to second as Green singled. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch while

Stephen Parker was batting. Parker struck out for the second out of the frame. Giants starter Andrew Romo then hit Mike Spina and Jeremy Barfield. Barfield's hit-by-pitch scored Thomas. Catcher Yusuf Carter then struck out to end the inning and leave the bases loaded.

The Ports took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth. With two out, designated hitter Kent Walton walked. Thomas stepped up to the plate and launched his second home run of the year over the grassy knoll in right field. Thomas ended the night 2x3 with two RBI and three runs scored.

But the Giants came right back in the sixth inning to take a 5-3 lead. Murray gave up back-to-back singles to Francisco Peguero and Flores to start the inning. First baseman Michael Sandoval then flew out for the first out of the inning. Ports manager Steve Scarsone called on southpaw Trey Barham to face designated hitter Wendell Fairley. Fairley drilled the first pitch he saw from Barham over the right field wall for a three-run home run. It was his first home run of the season, and first in nearly a year. Barham finished the inning.

The Ports had ample scoring opportunities in the sixth and seventh innings, leaving five base runners stranded combined in those two frames. The Ports stranded 12 in the course of the game.

After Deal retired the side in order in the eight, the Ports offense jumped back to life. Walton started the inning with a double down the left field line. He took third as Thomas singled to shallow center field. With two on and no out, Green came up to the plate an drilled an 0-1 pitch over the mini monster wall in left field to put the Ports ahead, 6-5. Park then singled to right to keep the offense rolling. Spina next flew out for the first out of the inning. But Barfield singled up the hole at short to put two on for Carter. While Carter was batting, Klimas had a passed ball which allowed the runners to advance. Carter then singled to left field to bring home both base runners and give Stockton an 8-5 lead. Carter later scored the ninth and final Ports run on an RBI single by Ladendorf.

Deal got the final three batters to ground out to Parker in the ninth inning to end the game.

The Ports will travel to Modesto, as they end the season on the road. Stockton and Modesto will face off at 7:05 PM at John Thurman Field on Tuesday. LHP Ian Krol (1-0, 3.72) will take the hill for the Ports, while RHP Parker Frazier (1-2, 3.89) will start for the Nuts. Fans can follow the game live on KWSX 1280 AM or on stocktonports.com.


• Discuss this story on the California League message board...

California League Stories from August 31, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central