Lancaster Can't Stop Pimentel, Ports
July 20, 2018 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - The JetHawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but two late home runs from Stockton's Sandber Pimentel led the Ports to victory in a 5-4 final on Thursday night at Banner Island Ballpark.
Pimentel's blasted a two-run shot off Justin Lawrence (0-2) to give Stockton (60-38) the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Lawrence had walked the lead-off batter in the inning to set the stage for Pimentel's go-ahead blast.
It was a pair of walks that set the stage for Pimentel's first home run in the sixth inning. Starter Antonio Santos walked back-to-back batters with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. The JetHawks (48-50) turned to left-hander Ben Bowden from the bullpen to face the left-handed Pimentel, but the Ports cleanup hitter took him deep to bring Stockton within a run.
The walks were the only issue for Santos in his solid start. He only allowed one hit and it didn't come until Will Toffey's infield single in the fifth. But Santos issued a career-high six walks which drove up his pitch count and ended up costing him a chance to finish the sixth inning. Lancaster walked eight batters total in the game.
Sam Sheehan (3-2) got the win in relief. Angel Duno picked up his 10th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Carlos Herrera put the JetHawks on the board with a solo home run in the first inning against Stockton starter Kyle Friedrichs. Colton Welker added another run with a RBI-double in the third.
The JetHawks picked up two runs in the fourth. Alen Trejo and Wes Rogers started the inning with back-to-back doubles, and Manny Melendez later brought Rogers home with a bloop single. All four runs scored against Friedrichs.
The series concludes with a rubber game on Friday night. Matt Dennis (6-10) will start for Lancaster against Xavier Altamirano (3-1). First pitch is 7:10 p.m.
California League Stories from July 20, 2018
- Buchholz Downs Sixers in Visalia - Inland Empire 66ers
- Wild Quakes' Rally Sends Rancho to Another Win - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Pimentel Pedals Ports to 5-4 Victory - Stockton Ports
- Late Lead Slips Away, Giants Fall 7-6 - San Jose Giants
- Early Blasts Send Rawhide to 5-2 Win - Visalia Rawhide
- Lancaster Can't Stop Pimentel, Ports - Lancaster JetHawks
- First-Inning Lightning Send Nuts to 8-3 Loss - Modesto Nuts
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