Morris Puts Exclamation Point On 9-3 Ports Win
Published on May 4, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Modesto Nuts would like to see another opponent--any opponent. For the ninth time in ten head-to-head meetings, the Stockton Ports beat their rivals from 30 miles south, this time by a final of 9-3. The Ports won their ninth straight against Modesto in front of a crowd of 4,277 at Banner Island Ballpark.
For the second straight night, the Ports jumped out to a quick lead. In the bottom of the first, Archie Gilbert singled to left, extending his hitting streak to 18 games. Nuts starter Shane Lindsay (1-1) walked Josh Horton, and two batters later, walked Chris Carter to load the bases with one out. Jed Morris came up and drew a four-pitch walk to give the Ports a 1-0 lead. Lindsay got Frank Martinez to strike out and Jermaine Mitchell to pop to short to end the inning.
Stockton's offense plated another run in the second on a two-out RBI double from Sean Doolittle to make it 2-0.
Ports starter Jason Fernandez (3-1) escaped trouble through the first two innings, and finally allowed his first run in the third. Geoff Strickland led off with a double, and then was moved to third on a sac bunt from Anthony Jackson. With two outs, Strickland scored on an RBI double from Mike Paul to cut the Ports lead to 2-1.
Fernandez allowed the tying run to score in his final inning of work. Victor Ferrante led off with a single in the fifth. Four batters later, with the bases loaded and one out, Paulk hit a sac fly to center to tie the game at two. Fernandez escaped further trouble when he got Cole Garner to bounce back to the mound with the bases loaded for a force at home, ending the inning.
The Ports offense would once again pick their starter up in the bottom of the inning. Carter and Morris led off with back-to-back singles off Lindsay, and with runners at the corners, Martinez hit into a fielder's choice force at second, scoring the go-ahead run and giving the Ports a 3-2 lead, one they would not relinquish. Lindsay was taken out after 4.2 innings, and ultimately took the loss on the night, allowing three runs on six hits, walking six and striking out five.
Fernandez, who worked five full, earned the win, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out four.
The Ports widened their lead in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Jermaine Mitchell knocked an RBI single to right off Nuts reliever Tommy Baumgardner. Two batters later, Martinez scored from third on a wild pitch to make it 5-3. Both runs were charged to Brandon Durden, who loaded the bases before being taken from the game. Those were the only two runs allowed by Durden in 1.2 innings of relief.
Stockton blew it wide open in the top of the ninth against Baumgardner. Following an RBI single from Carter, Morris stepped up with two on and launched his sixth home run of the season, this one over the Jackson Rancheria Back Porch to make it 9-2. Morris went 3-for-4 on the night with two singles, a home run and four RBI.
Chris Farley (SV, 3) closed the ballgame out for Stockton following two-plus scoreless innings of relief from Branden Dewing, who was recently promoted from Kane County. Farley allowed a run in the top of the ninth, but the Ports had plenty of insurance and cruised to a 9-3 win. Farley, who came in with the Nuts trailing by only three runs, was credited with the save.
Stockton and Modesto will wrap up their three game set with a Sunday matinee at Banner Island Ballpark. Graham Godfrey (0-0, 5.51 ERA) will toe the rubber for Stockton, opposed by right hander Esmil Rogers (3-2, 3.31 ERA). First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. PST.
California League Stories from May 4, 2008
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- Morris Puts Exclamation Point On 9-3 Ports Win - Stockton Ports
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