CalL1 Stockton Ports

Nine-Run Fourth Sinks Ports 11-6

Published on August 4, 2015 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


VISALIA, Calif. - The Stockton Ports took their first lead on a two-out, two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning. The Visalia Rawhide rendered that home run insignificant in the ensuing half-inning. Visalia plated nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, including a grand slam by Daniel Palka, to hand the Ports an 11-6 loss on Monday night at Recreation Ballpark.

The Rawhide opened the scoring in the second as Palka singled to lead off the frame, stole second, and scored on two ensuing groundouts to make it a 1-0 game.

After Rawhide starter Anthony Banda (7-8) set down the first nine batters he faced, Melvin Mercedes reached on a single to right to begin the fourth. After a bunt single by Brett Vertigan, Yairo Munoz hit into a double-play that looked as though it might kill the Stockton momentum. Jake Nottingham came up next, however, and delivered a two-run homer to left, his first as a Port, to give Stockton a 2-1 advantage.

Visalia came back in the next half-inning and sent 12 men to the plate in a nine-run frame. Ports starter Dylan Covey (6-7) gave up a leadoff double followed by back-to-back walks to load the bases with nobody out. Alex Glenn then delivered a two-run single to right to give the Rawhide a 3-2 lead. Tyler Baker followed with an RBI single that knocked Covey from the ballgame. Sam Roberts entered from the bullpen and after striking out his first batter, gave up an RBI single to Mitch Haniger. After Roberts hit Domingo Leyba to load the bases, he hit Jamie Westbrook to bring in another run to make it 6-2. After Gerson Montilla flew out for the second out, Palka delivered the crushing blow, a grand slam to right that gave Visalia a 10-2 lead.

Covey suffered the loss, going three-plus innings and allowing six runs on seven hits. Roberts gave up four runs on three hits over two innings worked.

Banda went on to earn the victory for Visalia as he gave up just the two runs on five hits while striking out three over seven innings.

Visalia added to its lead in the sixth as they loaded the bases with one out against Ports reliever Lou Trivino. Breland Almadova delivered a sac-fly to center to make it an 11-2 lead for the Rawhide. It was the only run allowed by Trivino in two innings of work.

Stockton's biggest inning came in the eighth as they scored four runs off Rawhide reliever Mason McCullough. With two on and one out, Vertigan delivered an RBI double to right. Munoz followed with a two-run double to left to cut the Rawhide lead to 11-5. McCullough was lifted for J.R. Bradley, who would commit a balk that allowed Munoz to score from third base and make it an 11-6 score.

Nick Sarianides came on to pitch the ninth in a non-save situation and set the side down in order while recording a pair of strikeouts to close out the ballgame.

The Ports and Rawhide play the middle game of their three-game series on Tuesday night. Left-hander Matt Stalcup (1-2, 3.96 ERA) makes the start for Stockton, opposed by Visalia right-hander Ryan Doran (6-1, 2.86 ERA). First pitch is set for 7 p.m. PDT.

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California League Stories from August 4, 2015


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