Offense Rules Again As Ports Trump Quakes 14-5
April 20, 2008 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - One would figure the Ports had used up their quota for runs scored in a series when they scored 21 runs Saturday night. However that proved to not be the case as the Ports continued their offensive outburst as they beat the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes by a final of 14-5 on Sunday afternoon. In the four games against Rancho the Ports scored a total of 50 runs as they swept the series and won their fifth game in a row.
The offense started right where it left off Saturday night in the third inning against Quakes starter Trevor Bell. Right fielder Matt Sulentic walked with one out in the third to get the run parade going again. Archie Gilbert then followed with a single, which was followed by a 2-RBI double from Josh Horton. Horton would eventually come around to score on an error by Quakes shortstop Wil Ortiz with Chris Carter batting to make the score 3-0.
On the other side of the ball Brett Anderson (3-1) was brilliant as he did not allow a hit until the 4th inning when Mark Trumbo singled. Anderson had 7 strike outs after 4 innings of work, when the Ports would provide even more run support adding 5 runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning.
Jermaine Mitchell led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a double which was followed by a Mike Affronti single. Bell was knocked out of the game after facing two batters in the fourth. Bell finished the day going three innings, allowing five runs, four earned on six hits while walking one and striking out two while getting the loss. Kelly Shearer came on in relief for the Quakes and the first batter he faced was Sulentic, who singled to bring home Mitchell. After a walk to Archie Gilbert, Horton provided his third RBI of the night with a sac fly to center field that scored Affronti. Sean Doolittle reached on a fielder's choice to bring up Carter who crushed the Shearer pitch deep to center field to make the score 8-0.
The Ports added three more in the fifth against Shearer. With two on and two out, Gilbert took a Shearer fastball over the left field fence to give the Ports a commanding 11-0 lead.
Anderson finished up his day after six scoreless innings of work in a winning effort. He allowed three hits, while walking one and striking out nine. He was relieved in the seventh by Arnold Leon who allowed two runs in his lone inning of relief. They were the first runs allowed by Leon on the season.
The Ports continued to pour it on leading 11-2 in the eighth inning. Against Quakes reliever Barret Browning, Doolittle led off with an opposite field home run to left field. Carter walked behind him, then after back to back singles by Juan Nunez and Frank Martinez, Affronti was walked with the bases loaded and Sulentic singled to score Martinez to make the score 14-2.
Rancho scored three in the top of the ninth on a homer from Rian Kiniry, but it was not nearly enough to overcome Stockton's offense, as the Ports took home a 14-5 win and a series sweep. In the series, Carter went 6-for-13 with five homers (including three on Saturday night) and 12 RBI. Doolittle went 5-for-15 with three homers and five RBI.
After the series sweep of Rancho the Ports have now won five-in-a-row. Following an off day on Monday the Ports will host the San Jose Giants for three games starting Tuesday night. A pitcher's duel is expected on Tuesday as the Ports will send A's prospect Trevor Cahill (3-0, 0.50 ERA) to the mound, and the Giants will counter with last year's first round pick Tim Alderson (2-1, 1.69 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05p.m. PST.
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California League Stories from April 20, 2008
- Offense Rules Again As Ports Trump Quakes 14-5 - Stockton Ports
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