CalL1 Stockton Ports

Five-run sixth hurts Ports in 6-2 loss

Published on June 18, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif.- The Modesto Nuts took control of Wednesday night's game with a five-run sixth inning, and defeated Stockton, 6-2, at Banner Island Ballpark. The Ports have now lost two at home and ten games against Modesto.

Tyson Ross allowed all six runs on nine hits, including a home run, in 5.1 innings, picking up his fifth loss of the season for the Ports (24-42). Connor Graham tossed 6.2 scoreless innings for Modesto (38-28), striking out seven. Jemile Weeks extended his hitting streak to 18 games, finishing the game 2x3 with a single and a solo home run-his second in as many games. Weeks' home run in the eighth inning broke up the shutout.

Weeks has hit safely in each game he's played in for the Ports, and is one of two California Leaguers with an active hitting streak of 15 or more games.

The Nuts scored their first run of the game in the second inning. Jeff Cunningham led off the inning with a single, and Jason Van Kooten followed him on base with a single. A sacrifice bunt by Radames Nazario advanced both runners into scoring position. Right fielder Brian Rike grounded out to second baseman Weeks, and Cunningham scored on the play.

The Nuts mounted a five-run attack in the sixth inning. Maikol Gonzalez led off the inning with a single. He came around to score on a two-run home run to left field by Jay Cox. Cox homered twice in the series. Then Matt Repec stepped up to the plate and roped a triple down the right field line. A single by Cunningham scored Repec. Ross then struck out Van Kooten for the first out of the inning. Nazario then hit a ground-rule double which bounced over the wall in left field to put runners on first and second.

Ports manager Aaron Nieckula lifted Ross from the game and replaced him with right-handed pitcher Pat Currin. Currin gave up a double to Rike, and both runners scored. Currin then retired the next two batters to end the inning.

Currin retired the next six batters he faced to hold the Nuts in check. He tossed 2.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

In the bottom of the eighth, Weeks led off the Ports offense with a solo home run to right field, which cleared the Jackson Rancheria Back Porch. Catcher Yusuf Carter then fouled out to catcher Wilin Rosario for the first out. First baseman Christian Vitters slammed a triple down the right field line for his first hit of the game. He came around to score the Ports' second and final run as left fielder Shane Keough grounded out. Todd Johnson struck out to end the inning.

Southpaw Nick Walters took the mound for the Ports in the ninth and retired the Nuts in order. The Ports also went down in order in the bottom of the frame to end the game.

The Ports will take on the San Jose Giants for a four-game series to cap off the first half of the season. RHP Craig Italiano (4-6, 7.05) will face off against LHP Clayton Tanner (5-1, 2.96) on Thursday in a 7:05 p.m. game.

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California League Stories from June 18, 2009


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