CalL1 Stockton Ports

Graves' Near Perfecto Anchors 2-1 Ports Win

Published on July 28, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


ADELANTO, Calif. - Brett Graves (5-8) flirted with perfection on Wednesday night at Mavericks Stadium. Graves retired the first 18 batters he faced before allowing an infield single to open the seventh. Graves, though, went on to face the minimum over eight brilliant innings as he helped the Ports edge the High Desert Mavericks by a final of 2-1 as Stockton closed its seven game road trip at a 3-4 mark.

The only hit over the first six innings came in the top of the second. With one out, Sandber Pimentel hit a home run to right to give Stockton a 1-0 lead.

Mavericks starter Collin Wiles (2-6) pitched around a walk and a hit batter in the fifth and out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the sixth. Mikey White doubled to begin the seventh and after a sacrifice bunt by Richie Martin to advance White to third, Wiles was lifted for Austin Pettibone. After striking out Argenis Raga, James Harris came up and singled to left to score White and make it a 2-0 advantge.

Wiles suffered the loss, going 6.1 innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking four and striking out three.

After Graves set down the first 18 batters he faced, Scott Heineman came up to begin the seventh and hit a chopper back of the third baseman Melvin Mercedes, Mercedes angled back and fielded the ball as he extended out, but lost his footing as he was spinning to throw to first. The infield single broke up the perfect game, but Graves went on to induce a 5-4-3 double-play to erase the hit. The double play started a stretch of five-in-a-row retired by Graves to finish his outing.

Graves earned the win as he faced the minimum through eight innings, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Carlos Navas (SV, 6) came on to pitch the ninth and gave up a one-out home run to Kevin Torres to make it a 2-1 game. With two outs, Heineman singled to put the possible-tying run aboard, but Navas struck out Josh Morgan to end the ballgame.

Navas earned the save, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two in his lone inning of work.

The Ports return home on Thursday to begin a seven-game homestand, starting with a four-game set with the Visalia Rawhide. James Naile (0-0, 4.50 ERA) makes the start in the opener, opposed by Visalia right-hander Markus Solbach (2-5, 4.60 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PDT. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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California League Stories from July 28, 2016


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