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CalL1 Stockton Ports

Giants Rally Late for 7-2 Win over Ports

August 24, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif.- The Stockton Ports (56-70) had a narrow 1-0 lead until the sixth inning, when the San Jose Giants (81-45) offense came to life. The Giants defeated the Ports, 7-2, at Banner Island Ballpark.

Ports starter Pedro Figueroa held the Giants to just three hits in 5.0 scoreless innings, walking five and fanning six. Reliever Leonardo Espinal picked up his second blown save and his third loss, giving up three runs in 1.1 innings. The Giants collected four runs off Nick Walters in the eighth frame.

The Ports were the first to score, pulling ahead, 1-0, in the bottom of the second. With one out, designated hitter Yusuf Carter singled. He came home on a double by second baseman Frank Martinez, which dropped near the Ports bullpen in left center field.

Figueroa loaded the bases by walking three San Jose batters in the third, but induced Roger Kieschnick to fly out to end the frame and get out of trouble.

The Giants also stranded a pair in scoring position in the fourth. Catcher Nestor Rojas walked to start the inning, and moved to third when shortstop Brian Bocock doubled off the Bank of Stockton sign in left field. But Figueroa knuckled down to strike out David Maroul for the second out. Then designated hitter Ryan Lormand hit the ball to center field and Ports outfield Jermaine Mitchell made a terrific diving catch to end the inning and prevent San Jose from scoring two runs.

The Giants posted their first two runs in the top of the sixth, as Espinal came out of the pen to pitch for Stockton. Third baseman Conor Gillaspie singled to lead things off. Bocock walked, and both runners advanced to scoring position on a sacrifice by Maroul. Lormand then hit the ball to first baseman Christian Vitters, and Vitters threw home to try to put our Gillaspie. But the throw went wild, and both Gillaspie and Bocock scored, and Lorman went to second on the throwing error. Following the error, the Ports retired the next two batters.

A solo home run by Steve Kleen, his sixth with Stockton, tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth. But the Ports did not score after that, putting just three more batters on base after that inning.

An RBI single by Gillaspie in the seventh made it 3-2, and the Giants pulled ahead 7-2 in the eighth. With one out, Walters issued two consecutive walks and a single to load the bases. Left fielder Thomas Neal slammed a two-RBI double down the left field line. Walters was pulled from the game in favor of Lance Sewell. Sewell faced off against Kieschnick, and Kieschnick notched a two-RBI triple to center field. After issuing a walk to Rojas, Sewell retired the next two batters to get out of the jam.

But the damage had been done. The Ports were unable to get a runner past first base in the last three innings of the game, and dropped the series.

The Ports set off for their last road trip of the season. They will take on the Bakersfield Blaze at Bakersfield on Monday at 7:15 p.m. RHP Scott Hodsdon (6-9, 5.53) will start for Stockton, while RHP Ryan Tatusko (6-6, 4.56) will start for Bakersfield.

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California League Stories from August 24, 2009


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