CalL1 Stockton Ports

Love's Walk-Off Gives Ports 4-3 Victory

Published on May 1, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif.-The Ports quenched their thirst for another victory Thursday night at Banner Island Ballpark, coming from behind to defeat the first-place Visalia Rawhide, 4-3. A walk-off infield single by catcher Dante Love brought home designated hitter Todd Johnson and secured Stockton's fifth win of the season.

Reliever Bobby Cramer (1-0) collected the victory for the Ports (5-16), while Billy Spottiswood took the blown save and the loss for Visalia (15-6).

The Ports offense was highlighted by first baseman Matt Spencer, who continued on his tear. Spencer extended his hitting streak to eight games, tying a team high which was set by Jermaine Mitchell earlier this month.

In that eight game span, Spencer is batting .451 (14x31) with a double, four home runs and 13 RBI. In Thursday's contest, Spencer finished the game 2x4 with two home runs and three RBI.

Ports starter Justin Murray had a solid outing, tossing 5.2 innings, and allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits. He fanned six batters, and issued just one walk. Cramer pitched 3.1 scoreless innings, and struck out three while allowing two hits.

Visalia was the first to score, putting up a run in the fourth inning. First baseman Ed Easley got things rolling with a double, and he was followed on base by Ryne White, who was hit by a pitch. Konrad Schmidt struck out, and Taylor Harbin reached on a fielder's choice that put out White at second. With two out and two on, designated hitter Kyle Greene notched a single, which scored Easley.

Visalia took a 3-0 lead in the top of the six. With a runner on base and two out, Harbin hit a double to put Rawhide runners on the corners. Greene stepped up to the plate and collected his second single of the game, which scored White, for an RBI. Harbin also came home to score the third run on an error by Alex Valdez.

The Ports pulled within one run in the bottom of the sixth. Shortstop Michael Richard led off the inning with a walk. Visalia starter Bryan Shaw quickly struck out the next two batters, but then Spencer knocked his first home run of the game to make it 3-2.

Cramer held the Rawhide to just one hit in the last three innings of the game, giving Stockton's offense a chance to come back to win the game.

And they did just that.

Spencer led off the bottom of the ninth inning, and tied up the game with a timely home run blast to the Jackson Rancheria Back Porch. Johnson continued the offensive power with a double. But Spottiswood retired the next two Ports batters, striking out Larry Cobb and inducing a ground out by Shane Keough.

Dante Love then got into the batter's box, and knocked an infield single that just past Spottiswood, who was unable to get the ball over to first base. Johnson came racing around to score the winning run and Love hustled down and got to first safely to seal the Ports victory.

The Ports will continue the homestand tomorrow, hosting the Bakersfield Blaze for a four-game series. LHP Carlos Hernandez (1-2, 3.74) will take the hill for the Ports and face off against RHP Michael Main (0-3, 11.66) in a 7:05 p.m. game.

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California League Stories from May 1, 2009


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