CalL1 Stockton Ports

Five-Run Inning Buries Ports, 7-4

Published on June 6, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif.-The Stockton Ports have played 39 innings of baseball in the past three days, and have had the lead for just two complete innings in that span. The Ports (21-35) lost the third straight game against the High Desert Mavericks (37-19), 7-4 at Banner Island Ballpark on Saturday.

Stockton starter Tyson Ross started out strong, striking out six of the first nine batters he faced. But the Mavericks got the best of him in the fourth inning, and the Ports offense was not able to overcome the deficit, leaving nine stranded and batting 0x4 with runners in scoring position. Ross is now 0-4 on the season. Mavericks starter Steve Hensley picked up his second win of the game, striking out five in 7.2 innings.

Jemile Weeks singled in his first at-bat to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He has safely hit in each game he started for the Ports, batting .309 (13x42) in that span with three home runs and nine RBI. He finished the contest 1x3 with an RBI.

The Ports were the first to score in Saturday's contest, but held the slim 1-0 lead for just 0.1 innings. In the third inning, shortstop Michael Richard led off the Ports threat with a single. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by center fielder David Thomas. Right fielder Jermaine Mitchell walked and second baseman Jemile Weeks was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Todd Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to score Richard. Mitchell tried to take third on the sacrifice fly, and was thrown out at third to end the inning.

Ross induced center fielder Tyson Gillies to ground out in the top of the fourth, but then ran into some trouble. He allowed a single to second baseman Edilio Colina, and walked left fielder Jamie McOwen. Designated hitter Joe Dunigan hit an RBI single to score Colina, and two more runs scored when third baseman Alex Liddi hit a sacrifice fly. Right fielder Carlos Peguero reached on an error by third baseman Christian Vitters, and scored when catcher Travis Scott notched his tenth home run of the season.

The Ports held the Mavericks to those five runs on three hits until the ninth frame, and High Desert kept Stockton to just four hits in the last five innings of the game. Right-handed pitcher Joselito Adames, who was called up from Extended Spring Training in Phoenix prior to the game, had a solid debut for the Ports, allowing just two runs on two hits in 4.0 innings.

In the ninth frame, McOwen led off the Mavericks attack with a single, and he was followed on base by Dunigan, who walked. A sacrifice bunt by Liddi moved over both batters, and both runners scored on a double by Peguero. The last two batters flew out, but High Desert had a 7-2 lead.

The Ports worked to rally in the bottom of the ninth, but were unable to convert a come-from-behind victory. Designated hitter Shane Keough walked, and was followed on base by a single from Richard, who finished the game 3x4. Thomas struck out looking for the second out of the inning. Mitchell then walked to load the bases for Weeks. Weeks also walked, which allowed Keough to come trotting home.

The Mavericks brought on Edward Paredes to pitch, as Johnson stepped up to the plate. While Johnson was at bat, Richard scored on a passed ball. Johnson walked to load the bases again. Catcher Yusuf Carter came up to bat, and hit a ground ball straight to third baseman Liddi, who tagged the bag for the force out to end the game, 7-4.

The Stockton Ports will work to avoid the sweep at home on Sunday, as they take on High Desert for their final contest of the season at 2:05 p.m. RHP Craig Italiano (4-5, 6.27) will face off against RHP J.C. Ramirez (4-1, 4.29) in the game.

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California League Stories from June 6, 2009


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