Fernandez Flusters Giants In 2-0 Win
Published on July 15, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - As it turns out, all the Stockton Ports needed was some home cookin'. After a discouraging road trip, the Ports returned home with a vengeance and on Monday, completed a three-game sweep of the San Jose Giants--the team with the best overall record in the Cal-League. On the heels of three straight games in which they scored in double figures, the Ports offense managed just three runs on Monday but left most of the heavy-lifting to starter Jason Fernandez (9-5), who responded with one of his best performances of the season. Fernandez tossed 7.2 scoreless innings and almost single-handedly lifted the Ports to a 3-0 win over the Giants.
The Giants had their best chance to score fall by the wayside in the top of the first. With one out, Tyler Graham doubled to right and was in scoring position. It was there that he stayed, as Fernandez struck out Travis Denker and got Andy D'Alessio to ground out to end the inning.
Through the first four innings, Giants starter Jesse English (9-4) nearly matched Fernandez pitch-for-pitch. English retired 13 of the first 15 batters he faced, but finally cracked in the fifth. With one out, Matt Sulentic legged out an infield single and Raul Padron followed with a single to right to put runners at first and second. After Carlos Arrieche struck out, Archie Gilbert came up with a clutch single to right, scoring Sulentic and giving the Ports a 1-0 lead. With Jermaine Mitchell at the plate, Padron would score on a wild pitch to give the Ports a 2-0 edge.
In the sixth, Chris Carter added the exclamation point with his second home run in as many nights--his league-leading 26th on the season to give the Ports a 3-0 lead. It was the final run allowed by English, who took the loss after going six innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out eight.
Fernandez took care of the rest, scattering five hits over his 7.2 scoreless innings. Fernandez left the game with two outs in the eighth, and Pat Currin came on and got Mike McBryde to fly out to left on a diving catch made by Mitchell to preserve the shutout. Fernandez earned his team-leading ninth win of the season. It was the third time this season that Fernandez has worked into the eighth inning. He struck out six, walked just two, and did not allow a baserunner past second base.
Sam Demel (SV, 13) earned his 13th save of the season by tossing a perfect ninth. Demel is now second in the league in saves, behind Modesto's Andrew Johnston. This marked the eighth time this season that the Ports have shut out an opponent.
Following an off-day on Tuesday, the Ports will welcome the Visalia Oaks to Banner Island Ballpark for a three-game set beginning on Wednesday. Left-hander Eddie Romero (5-8, 4.68 ERA) will take the mound for Visalia. The Ports have yet to determine their starter. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PDT.
California League Stories from July 15, 2008
- Upcoming Homestand Preview - Modesto Nuts
- Special Ticket Pricing Announced For Next Tumbleweed Tuesday - Lancaster JetHawks
- Ports Blank Giants To Complete Three-Game Sweep - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Win 7-3 Over Storm - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Fernandez Flusters Giants In 2-0 Win - Stockton Ports
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