Home Runs power Blaze over Ports, 5-4
Published on May 20, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif.-The Ports tied the game at four in the fifth inning, but they were held hitless in the remaining four frames, and fell 5-4 to the Bakersfield Blaze Wednesday at Banner Island Ballpark. The Bakersfield Blaze (19-21) took advantage of the strong wind blowing out to left field on Wednesday afternoon, smacking three home runs. The Ports (14-26) batters were not as lucky, managing just two extra-base hits in the contest.
Mathieu LeBlanc Poirier made his third start on Wednesday for Stockton, and worked a season-high 5.2 innings and allowed four earned runs on six hits. Southpaw Derrick Gordon picked up the loss for the Ports, allowing the winning run (a solo home run) in 3.1 innings of relief.
Blaze starter Kennil Gomez allowed all four Ports runs and all eight hits. He also fanned eight Ports batters in the contest. Zach Phillips and Josh Lueke held the Ports hitless in the final innings and combined for five strikeouts.
The Blaze put up the first run of the game, a solo home run to right-center field by center fielder Engle Beltre.
The Ports pulled ahead 3-1 in the bottom of the second inning-their only lead of the game. Right fielder Todd Johnson got things started with a single, and he stole second while first baseman Yusuf Carter was at bat. Carter also singled, and both runners came to score on a single by catcher Raul Padron. Padron scored the third run of the inning on a single by second baseman Larry Cobb.
But the Blaze responded in the top of the third, and tied the game at three runs. Left fielder Cody Podraza slammed a solo shot for his first home run of the season. Second baseman Matthew Lawson singled, and he was followed on base by Beltre, who singled. Lawson came home to score and tie the game on a 4-6-3 double play.
Bakersfield pulled ahead 4-3 in the top of the fourth, as catcher Elio Sarmiento doubled to score third baseman Joey Greene.
The Ports tied the game again in the bottom of the fifth, as an RBI double by third baseman Christian Vitters brought home left fielder Shane Keough, who had singled. Vitters finished the game 2x4 with a home run. He and Johnson were the only two batters to collect an extra-base hit on Wednesday.
Bakersfield pulled ahead for good in the eighth inning as Joey Butler slammed his fourth home run of the season.
The Ports went in order in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings, and five of the last 12 batters struck out.
The Ports will close out the series against Bakersfield tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. RHP Tyson Ross (0-2, 4.15) will face off against LHP Richard Bleier (1-1, 7.11) in the second Thirsty Thursday night at Banner Island Ballpark.
California League Stories from May 20, 2009
- Giants Bats Silenced In 2-1 Loss To Inland Empire - San Jose Giants
- San Jose Giants Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza Tickets go on Sale May 24th - San Jose Giants
- Stockton to Host Free O.J. Night on Thursday - Stockton Ports
- Home Runs power Blaze over Ports, 5-4 - Stockton Ports
- Guerrero, Escobar to Play Against Storm Friday Night - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Three-Run Eighth Propels Giants To Victory In Return Home - San Jose Giants
- Kirkman, home runs stifle Ports in 9-5 loss - Stockton Ports
- JetHawks Offense Rained On by Storm - Lancaster JetHawks
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