Five-Run Ninth Inning Completes Comeback over Modesto, Ports Clinch Series Win
Published on July 9, 2023 under California League (CalL)
Stockton Ports News Release
MODESTO, Calif. - Entering this six-game series with the Modesto Nuts, the Stockton Ports had not won a game all season long when trailing after eight innings. After Saturday night's 8-6 win against the Nuts, the Ports have done it twice in this series. Stockton trailed 6-1 at one point and came back to win 8-6, winning four-in-a-row in the series and securing a series win before the All-Star break. Their four consecutive wins also ties their longest winning streak of the season.
Stockton trailed 6-1 heading into the top of the eighth inning, and up until that point, they were 0-7 with runners in scoring position. That's when things started to change for the Ports, as TJ Schofield-Sam doubled to the right field corner with two outs and was followed by Bryan Buelvas who walked. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position for Carlos Franco, who lined a single to center to score both runs and make it a 6-3 game.
While Stockton did not add on any more runs that inning, they got going in a hurry in the top of the ninth inning. Jose Escorcheopened up the inning by beating out an infield single, and YenielLaboy walked to bring up the tying run in the form of Dereck Salom. He then lined a single up the middle to load the bases, but the Ports were just getting started.
Henry Bolte delivered a line drive single to score a run while keeping the bases loaded, making it 6-4. Cam Mastermancontinued to be run-producing machine as he tied the game with a two-run single, making it 6-6 while keeping a zero on the board for Stockton outs. Schofield-Sam followed with a single to load the bases, and Buelvas put the Ports up for good with a line drive single to center to plate a pair and make it 8-6.
All of this happened without a single out being recorded by Juan Burgos, who was charged with five runs in a blown save and a loss. The five runs that Stockton scored in the ninth inning are the most they have scored in the final inning in a game this season.
Pedro Santos closed the door in the ninth inning with only minimal drama. He allowed a one-out triple to Gabriel Gonzalez, and threw three balls to Gabe Moncada before coming back to strike him out. The game ended on a groundout to shortstop, as Santos earned his sixth save of the season, tying him for the team lead.
Dheygler Gimenez got the start for the Ports and labored through 3.1 innings of work, allowing eight hits and five runs, and was on the verge of taking his third consecutive loss. The Ports bullpen was stellar behind him, however, allowing just two hits and one run over 5.2 innings of work to keep the game within reach for Stockton.
Schofield-Sam led the charge offensively with three hits, including two doubles. Escorche recorded his second-straight two-hit performance, while Bolte did the same. Eight of the Ports 12 hits came in the final two innings, and after starting the game 0-7 with runners in scoring position, they finished 6-16 (six hits in their final nine tries).
Stockton will aim for their fifth-straight win on Sunday in the series finale against the Modesto Nuts. They will send Wander Guante to the mound, looking to build off of his seven-inning performance in his last start. He will be opposed by Tyler Cleveland, who was the winning pitcher in the series opener after 5.1 solid innings on the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm.
California League Stories from July 9, 2023
- Five Fresno Pitchers Blank San Jose 1-0 for 2nd Straight Shutout and 10th Sunday Win in a Row - Fresno Grizzlies
- Taylor Homers, Quakes Fall Sunday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Five-Run Ninth Inning Completes Comeback over Modesto, Ports Clinch Series Win - Stockton Ports
- Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes vs San Jose - Fresno Grizzlies
- Pilar, Grizzlies goose egg Giants 8-0 for series triumph Saturday - Fresno Grizzlies
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