Ports Comeback Spoils Brilliant Vargas Start
Published on May 9, 2018 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
VISALIA, CA - Emilio Vargas followed up an exceptional start in San Jose last week with another gem today, striking out six over five-and-a-third shutout innings. Vargas had lowered his league-leading ERA to 1.04, left with a two-run lead, and was in line for his third win of the season.
But for the second time in the last three games, the Visalia bullpen was unable to hold on to a lead.
Tyler Mark loaded the bases in the seventh and escaped the jam with minimal damage, allowing only a one-run single to Jonah Heim while striking out a pair.
Kevin Ginkel took over for the eighth inning and immediately suffered an error at third by Drew Ellis when a ball skipped underneath his glove to begin the inning. Ginkel got the next two hitters before Nate Mondou singled to extend the frame. Colin Theroux followed by blasting a three-run homer over the barn in right-center to give Ginkel (L, 0-1) his second blown save in as many appearances.
Visalia (18-15) brought the tying run to the plate against Angel Duno in the ninth when Daulton Varsho led off with a single, but Ellis grounded into a double play to end the threat.
The lone Rawhide offense came in the first inning against Ports righty Matt Millburn when Marcus Wilson hit a one-out single to left and Ramon Hernandez left the yard on a line drive to left-center.
Millburn proceeded to retire the next ten Rawhdie hitters in a row following the homer, a streak that ended when Ellis doubled to left. Milburn lasted through six innings and only allowed three more hits for the rest of his outing.
Stockton (20-13) sent Boomer Biegalski (W, 2-0) to relieve Milburn and, though the Rawhide put two runners on with two outs in the seventh, Raymel Flores struck out to end the threat. Angel Duno (SV, 2) took over with two outs in the eighth and finished the game for Stockton.
The Rawhide have now fallen in a season-high four consecutive games and the bullpen has blown each of their past two save opportunities.
The Rawhide will look to salvage the final game of the series and homestand tomorrow evening, sending RHP Kevin McCanna (1-0, 1.59) to the hill against Ports LHP Zack Erwin (2-2, 4.05). First pitch is at 7 PM and tickets are still available on rawhidebaseball.com.
California League Stories from May 9, 2018
- Big Sixth Sends Nuts to 9-5 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- Theroux's Homer Lifts Ports Past Rawhide 4-2 - Stockton Ports
- Ports Comeback Spoils Brilliant Vargas Start - Visalia Rawhide
- Alexander's Arm, Todd's Catch Highlight 66ers Nail-Biter Win - Inland Empire 66ers
- Fast Start Sparks Ports to 6-2 Win - Stockton Ports
- Zammarelli Delivers While Newsome Deals in 4-2 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Giants Drop Series Opener to Nuts - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Take Third Straight, Puig 0-For-4 on Rehab - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Near Comeback Not Enough Tuesday - Lancaster JetHawks
- Early Ports Offense Downs Rawhide - Visalia Rawhide
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