CalL1 Stockton Ports

Nuts Escape With 3-2 Opening Night Win

Published on April 4, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - In recent years, Opening Night has not been kind to the Stockton Ports. Since 2004, the Ports had dropped three of four season openers. Make it four of five, as the Ports fell to the Modesto Nuts on the first game of the 2008 season by a final of 3-2. Despite an impressive start from A's prospect Fautino De Los Santos (0-1), the Modesto pitching staff was a bit better as they held the Ports to just four hits on the night.

Modesto drew first blood in the fourth against De Los Santos. Daniel Mayora led off the inning for the Nuts and was hit by a pitch in the helmet. Three batters later, he was brought home on an RBI single from Matthew Repec as the Nuts took a 1-0 lead. De Los Santos allowed another run in the fifth on a sac fly from Michael Paulk that gave Modesto a 2-0 edge.

Meanwhile, Nuts starter Esmil Rogers (1-0) was sensational. After getting through the first four and two-thirds innings unscathed, the Ports finally got to him when Frank Martinez homered to right to cut the deficit to 2-1. Mike Affronti followed with a double and Matt Sultenic drew a walk, but Rogers was able to escape the jam when he got Archie Gilbert to pop to center to end the inning.

Rogers went five full innings and earned the win after allowing just the one run on three hits while striking out two.

De Los Santos set the side down in order in the sixth and finished his night there. He took the loss without much run support, as he allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out six.

Modesto tacked on another run in the seventh when, with the bases loaded, Ports reliever Graham Godfrey walked Mike McKenry with the bases loaded and two outs, giving the Nuts a 3-1 advantage.

Stockton made noise in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Martinez singled to left. Affronti followed with a ground ball to short, and shortstop Hector Gomez threw the ball away, allowing Martinez to go to third and Affronti to reach second. Martinez subsequently scored on a wild pitch, pulling the Ports to within a run at 3-2.

The Ports put the potential tying run on base in the ninth when Richie Robnett drew a leadoff walk against Nuts closer Andrew Johnston (SV, 1). Robnett advanced to as far as third base, but with two outs, Affronti grounded to first to end the game.

The Ports and Nuts will play the second game of their four game set on Friday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Right-hander Henry Rodrguez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will take the hill for Stockton, opposed by right-hander Aneury Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) for Modesto. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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California League Stories from April 4, 2008


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