Anderson Amazing In 4-3 Win Over Blaze
Published on June 11, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - It's safe to say that Stockton Ports starter Brett Anderson (7-4) is back at full strength following a short stint on the disabled list. Anderson, in his third outing since returning from the DL, pitched his longest outing in over a month as he held the Bakersfield Blaze scoreless through seven innings. Despite a ninth-inning struggle from the bullpen, the Ports still managed a 4-3 win over Bakersfield to start a nine game homestand off on the right foot.
Oakland A's reliever Santiago Casilla started the ballgame for Stockton on a rehab stint. Casilla threw just 10 pitches--nine for strikes--and struck out two batters to end what was a perfect inning of work.
In the bottom of the first, the Ports netted their first run on a leadoff double from Archie Gilbert and a single from Josh Horton. It was the only run that would score until the sixth inning.
Anderson, the scheduled starter, came on in the second and picked up where Casilla left off. Anderson retired the first six batters he faced, and nine of the first 10 to start his outing. In the fifth and sixth, Anderson had two baserunners on with one out, and managed to escape both jams. He would pitch through the eighth, matching his longest outing of the season with seven scoreless innings. He allowed just four hits, hit a batter and struck out nine--one shy of his career-high 10.
The Ports would back Anderson up with more runs in the sixth against Blaze starter Jared Hyatt (6-2). With two outs, Mike Affronti blooped a single to center to keep the inning alive. Frank Martinez followed with another single, and Matt Sulentic singled to center to bring Affronti home and give Stockton a 2-0 edge. The next batter, Gilbert, knocked a two-run double down the line in left to make it 4-0. Hyatt wound up with the loss, going 5.2 innings and allowing four runs on nine hits, hitting a batter and striking out six.
In the top of the ninth, Branden Dewing took over for Anderson. Dewing hit Jose Vallejo with his very first pitch and walked Chad Tracy to put the tying run in the on-deck circle. Jared Lansford (SV, 2) was then summoned to get the final three outs in a save situation. Lansford struck out J.T. Restko, but John Whittleman followed with a three-run homer to right to pull the Blaze to within a run at 4-3. Lansford struck out Mauro Gomez, but then yielded a single to Truan Mehl to put the tying run on base. With two down, Mehl was sent to try and steal second base, and was gunned down by Ports catcher Raul Padron to end the game. Prior to the failed attempt, Mehl had been 17-for-20 in stolen base attempts.
With the San Jose Giants loss, the Ports are now three games back of first with five left to play in the first half of the season. Stockton will look to make it three wins in a row on Wednesday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Jason Fernandez (6-4, 4.42 ERA) will toe the rubber for Stockton, and right-hander Omar Poveda (0-0, 4.41 ERA) will head to the hill for Bakersfield. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PST.
California League Stories from June 11, 2008
- Win puts Lancaster buack into first - Lancaster JetHawks
- San Jose Giants Free Movie Night presented by Comcast, Saturday, June 14th - San Jose Giants
- Join The Ports To Help Quail Lakes Fire Victims - Stockton Ports
- Nestlé Drumstick cones are an Official Sponsor of MiLB and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes for 2008 Season - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Special Weekday Promotional Ticket Pricing Announced For Next Week - Lancaster JetHawks
- Anderson Amazing In 4-3 Win Over Blaze - Stockton Ports
- Lancaster Bounces Back with Big Win - Lancaster JetHawks
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