Early Start Sparks Ports to Series Sweep
Published on April 29, 2018 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. - The Stockton Ports punctuated and impressive Southern California road trip with a win and a series sweep on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond. Scoring three runs in the top of the first, the Boys of Banner Island never trailed in a 6-2 win over the Lake Elsinore Storm, completing their road trip with a 5-1 mark.
The Ports immediately loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the first facing Storm starter Michael Baez (0-2). With the sacks full, Dairon Blanco lofted a single into left field to give the Ports the 1-0 lead. After Baez recorded back-to-back strikeouts, Luis Barrera stepped up and drove a two-run double down the left field line to make it a 3-0 advantage.
Ports starter Logan Shore, in his return to the Stockton roster from extended spring training, set the side down in order in three of his four innings. In the second, Shore hit Luis Torrens and gave up a double to Jorge Ona to start the inning. After back-to-back strikeouts with runners at second and third, Nate Easley reached on an RBI single to give Lake Elsinore its first run. Shore would set down the final seven batters he faced and did not qualify for the win after going four innings and allowing two hits while striking out six.
The Ports stretched their lead in the third. Blanco led off with a triple and scored on an ensuing RBI single by Skye Bolt. Bolt scored later in the inning following back-to-back singles by Barrera and Edwin Diaz to make it a 5-1 advantage.
Baez would suffer the loss, going three innings and allowing five runs on eight hits while walking three and striking out four.
Stockton's final run came in the fifth when Bolt led off the inning with a home run off Austin Smith to make it 6-1. It was the only hit allowed by Smith in four innings of relief.
Will Gilbert (1-0) was the first out of the bullpen in relief of Shore and pitched two near-perfect innings without allowing a hit or a walk. Gilbert would go on to pick up the victory. Sam Sheehan pitched the seventh and allowed one run on one hit and a walk. Boomer Biegalski came on in the eighth and retired six of the seven batters he faced to close out the ballgame.
Deuris Valdez and Elliot Ashbeck each pitched a scoreless inning to close out the game for Lake Elsinore.
After going 5-1 on their road trip, the Ports return home on Monday to take on the Lancaster JetHawks. Parker Dunshee (2-0, 1.66 ERA) makes the start for Stockton, opposed by Lancaster right-hander Trey Killian (0-2, 11.74 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PDT.
California League Stories from April 29, 2018
- Giants Escape with 5-4 Victory over Nuts - San Jose Giants
- Nuts' Three-Game Winning Streak Snapped - Modesto Nuts
- Quakes Drop Two of Three, Home Monday at LoanMart Field - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- JetHawks Take Series with Come from Behind Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- Early Start Sparks Ports to Series Sweep - Stockton Ports
- Offensive Explosion Leads to Sweep - Visalia Rawhide
- Nuts Rally Past Giants with Late Outburst - San Jose Giants
- Late Heroics Secure Third Straight Win - Modesto Nuts
- 5th Inning Comeback Spurs Rawhide - Visalia Rawhide
- Steady Offense Carries Ports to 11-3 Win - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Fall Saturday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Bullpen Closes Out Comeback Over Quakes - Lancaster JetHawks
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