Blaze Burn Through Ports Offense In 3-1 Loss
Published on August 19, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - Nobody could've asked the Stockton Ports pitching staff--especially the bullpen--to come up with a better effort than they did on Monday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Ports starter Travis Banwart (2-3) scattered three runs in four innings of work, and the Ports bullpen allowed just one baserunner in five innings. Stockton's offense, however, was shut down all night and at times, ran into some hard luck. The Blaze evened the three game series by beating the Ports 3-1, setting up a series rubber match on Tuesday.
Bakersfield scored first in the top of the first. With two outs, Grant Gerrard doubled off Banwart, and Ian Gac followed with an RBI single to make it 1-0. In the third, the Blaze scored another run on an RBI fielder's choice groundout from Johnny Whittleman to extend their lead to 2-0. Their final run came in the fourth on a one-out solo home run from Erick Morrison to give the Blaze a 3-0 edge.
All three runs on the night were allowed by Banwart, who took the loss after going four innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out eight.
The Ports, meanwhile, were stuck in the mud against Blaze starter Zach Phillips (8-8). Following a one-out single from Josh Horton in the first, Frank Martinez hit into an inning-ending double play. In the fourth, with Chris Carter at first, Matt Spencer lined a single to right, but the ball grazed Carter on its way to the outfield. Carter was ruled out, and Spencer ended up the lone baserunner at first with two down and never scored.
Stockton finally got their shot in the seventh. With one on and two outs, Phillips issued back-to-back walks of Corey Brown and Jermaine Mitchell to load the bases. Phillips was then replaced with Tanner Roark (SV, 1), who threw one pitch and got Mike Massaro to fly out to end the inning.
Stockton's bullpen was dominant, and came through with perhaps their best combined effort on the season. Craig Italiano (2 innings), Jose Fragoso (1 inning), and Henry Rodriguez (2 innings) combined for five scoreless innings of relief. The only batter to reach in that span was Gac, who walked against Italiano in the fifth. Stockton's bullpen retired 15 of the last 16 batters to finish the game.
The Ports got on the board in the eighth. With Archie Gilbert at third, Carter grounded a ball to Blaze second baseman Renny Osuna. Osuna fielded and threw wide of the bag at first, allowing Gilbert to score the only Ports run of the night on an error.
Roark would allow two hits in the ninth, but escape unscathed to earn his first save of the year.
The Ports at Blaze will wrap up their season series on Tuesday. Jason Glushon (1-1, 4.62 ERA) will head to the bump for Stockton, opposed by right-hander Omar Poveda (4-3, 4.05) for Bakersfield. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PDT.
California League Stories from August 19, 2008
- JetHawks Sweep Away Mavericks with Another Come From Behind Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- Downs Drives In Five Leading Giants To 10-7 Victory - San Jose Giants
- Blaze Burn Through Ports Offense In 3-1 Loss - Stockton Ports
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