Milburn Goes the Distance in 5-0 Ports Win
June 27, 2018 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Stockton Ports starter Matt Milburn (5-2) became just the second Ports pitcher since the franchise became an Oakland Athletics affiliate in 2005 to throw a complete-game shutout Tuesday night at Municipal Stadium. Milburn became the first to accomplish the feat since Kevin Deaton did it in San Jose on August 7, 2007 as the right-hander dazzled, needing only 90 pitches to go the distance and help the Ports to a 5-0 victory. Sandber Pimentel held up the offensive end of the bargain with a pair of homers that proved Stockton with all five runs in the win.
Giants starter Melvin Adon (2-5) would record the first two outs of the second inning before issuing a walk to Luis Barrera that opened a window of opportunity for Stockton. Collin Theroux singled to center and Pimentel followed with a three-run homer to left that gave the Ports the first three runs of the ballgame.
In the fourth inning, Adon would issue another walk to Barrara, this time with one out. Two batters later with two away, Pimentel delivered another opposite-field blast, this time a two-run shot to make it a 5-0 ballgame.
Adon would suffer the loss, going five innings and allowing five runs on four hits while walking three and striking out four.
Milburn, meanwhile, set down the first nine batters he faced before the stretch was broken up by a bunt-single to open the fourth. Following the bunt-single, Milburn set down six consecutive batters before an infield single broke up that stretch. Milburn pitched around two singles in the sixth and a pair of singles in the seventh that put runners at the corners with one out. With runners at the edges, Milburn would strike out John Riley and get Kelvin Beltre to ground out to escape the jam. Beginning with the Riley strikeout, Milburn set down his final eight batters with relative ease to complete the shutout.
Milburn allowed five hits and did not issue a walk while striking out seven, one away from matching his season-high total. His complete game is the first to be thrown in the California League this season. Former Ports starter Brian Howard, now pitching with Double-A Midland, came one out away from accomplishing the feat versus San Jose at Banner Island Ballpark on June 12.
Stockton's last nine-inning complete game was thrown by Josh Bowman at Bakersfield on August 27, 2013.
San Jose relievers Carlos Sano and Peter Lannoo combined to throw four scoreless innings in relief for the Giants down the stretch.
The Ports and Giants play the third game of their four-game set on Wednesday night at Municipal Stadium. In a battle of left-handers, Zack Erwin (6-5, 4.46 ERA) makes the start for Stockton, opposed by San Jose's Mac Marshall (0-1, 2.66 ERA). First pitch is set for 7 p.m. PDT.
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California League Stories from June 27, 2018
- Rancho Blanks Lake Elsinore Again on Wednesday Afternoon - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Ports Shutout Giants to Even Series - San Jose Giants
- Milburn Goes the Distance in 5-0 Ports Win - Stockton Ports
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- Ninth Inning Comeback Falls Short - Visalia Rawhide
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- Anderson Shuts Down Storm on Tuesday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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