Hodsdon, Weeks Propel Ports to 5-1 Win
Published on June 16, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif.-The Ports began their last homestand before the All-Star Break by defeating the Modesto Nuts, 5-1, powered by the strong pitching performance of Scott Hodsdon, and a solid offense.
It was their first victory at home since May 24 and their second victory against Modesto this season.
Scott Hodsdon entered the game in relief for starter Scott Mitchinson, who made his first appearance since coming off the disabled list on June 13. Hodsdon tossed 6.0 innings (a team season-high for a reliever), and allowed just one run on four hits, and struck out five. Mitchinson performed well, fanning four in 2.0 innings and only walking one. Mark Ellis also started the game at second base as part of a Major League rehab. Ellis had three plate appearances, walking once and grounding out twice.
Jemile Weeks finished the game 3x4, with a double and an RBI. He has hit safely in each of the 16 games he's played with the Ports. He's now batting .385 (35x65) with three doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI this season. Shane Keough also finished the game 2x4 with an RBI and Jermaine Mitchell went 1x3 with two RBI in the contest. The Ports totaled nine hits, and batted .444 (4x9) with runners in scoring position.
Modesto was the first to score, pulling ahead 1-0 in the top of the third. The first batter Hodsdon faced, right fielder Brian Rike, launched a solo home run to center field. Hodsdon then allowed two singles, but he picked off both runners. He allowed one more base runner in that inning, but got shortstop Radames Nazario to ground out to end the game.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Ports took a 2-1 lead. First baseman Yusuf Carter singled to lead off the inning, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by third baseman Christian Vitters. Keough singled to put runners on the corners. Right fielder Jermaine Mitchell then stepped up to the plate and doubled to center field, to score the two runners. However, Mitchell tried to take third, and was put out in a 7-4-5 run down play.
The score remained 2-1 until the eighth inning. From the fifth to the eighth frames, Hodson struck out five and allowed just one hit and hit one batter.
In the bottom of the eighth, second baseman Michael Richard reached first and second on an error. He moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Frank Martinez, who entered the game in the sixth inning in place of Ellis. With a runner on third, Weeks hit an RBI single to put the Ports up, 3-1. Carter struck out, but Vitters hit an RBI triple to bring home Weeks. The Nuts then brought on Carlos Luna to face Keough with two out. Keough singled and Vitters scored the fifth Stockton run. After Mitchell walked, catcher Matt Smith grounded out to end the inning.
The Ports called on Leonardo Espinal to close out the game, and he made things interesting. After inducing Nazario to ground out, he gave up a single to left fielder Jay Cox. Espinal then walked the next two batters. With the bases loaded and one out, designated hitter Jason Van Kooten came up to the plate. He grounded out to Vitters, who tagged third for the force before throwing Van Kooten out at first.
The Ports will take on Modesto in Game 2 of the three-game series at 7:05 p.m. RHP Mathieu LeBlanc Poirier (0-2, 4.89) will face off against RHP Cory Riordan (2-5, 5.04).
California League Stories from June 16, 2009
- Quakes Upcoming Events!!! - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Visalia Home Runs Drop Giants In 7-4 Series Opening Loss - San Jose Giants
- Hodsdon, Weeks Propel Ports to 5-1 Win - Stockton Ports
- JetHawks Offense Too Much In Opener - Inland Empire 66ers
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