Kirkland's Blast Carries Ports Past JetHawks 4-2
Published on June 4, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Ports have had a knack for the big inning recently, and Tuesday afternoon's ballgame was no exception. Wade Kirkland's three-run homer in the third inning proved to be the difference maker in a 4-2 Ports victory over the Lancaster JetHawks at Banner Island Ballpark. The win also puts Stockton on a season-high five-game winning streak.
JetHawks starter Aaron West (2-2) retired the first six batters he faced going into the bottom of the third. West would give up a double to Myrio Richard to open the inning and then a single to B.A. Vollmuth that put runners at the corners. Kirkland came up next and hit the first pitch over the left field fence to give Stockton a 3-0 lead.
The third inning was the only inning in which West struggled, as he faced the minimum over the other four innings worked. West suffered the loss, going five innings and allowing three runs on five hits while striking out one.
Ports starter Shaeffer Hall (1-0) walked Joe Sclafani to open the fourth inning and then gave up a bunt single to Andrew Aplin. Brandon Meredith followed with an RBI single to right that put Lancaster on the board at 3-1. After Preston Tucker fouled out to third, Telvin Nash hit a sac-fly to right that scored Aplin and made it 3-2. Hall, however, would get Tyler Heineman to pop to second to end the inning as Hall went on to retire the last six batters he faced, earning the win after allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two over five innings of work.
Seth Frankoff came in to start the sixth inning and set the side down in order. Frankoff gave up a leadoff single to Tucker in the seventh, and Tucker went on to steal second. Frankoff struck out Nash, got Heineman to ground to first, and with Tucker at third base and two outs, struck out Matt Duffy to end the inning.
Stockton added a run in the seventh as Rashun Dixon walked and Richard singled to put runners at the corners with nobody out. JetHawks reliever T.J. Geith was pitching to Vollmuth when Heineman, the catcher, was charged with a passed ball that allowed Dixon to score to make it 4-2. After Geith retired Vollmuth, Michael Dimock came on and retired two in a row to end the inning.
The run was unearned for Geith and it was the only run he allowed in 1.1 innings of relief.
Pedro Vidal started the eighth inning for the Ports and pitched around an infield single and a walk that started the frame. Vidal got a strikeout, a pop up, and picked Chris Epps off second base to end the threat.
In the ninth, Stockton turned to closer Jose Macias to try for the save. Macias, however, threw one pitch and had to come out of the game as he grabbed at his right arm. Jonathan Joseph (SV, 3) was summoned from the bullpen for emergency relief and Joseph set the side down in order to end the ballgame and record his third save of the season.
Having secured a series victory, the Ports will attempt a sweep of the JetHawks on Wednesday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Tanner Peters (6-3, 4.41 ERA) will make the start for Stockton, opposed by Lancaster right-hander Brady Rodgers (5-1, 3.28 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PDT.
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