CalL1 Stockton Ports

Nuts Rally in Ninth, Beat Ports 6-5

Published on April 19, 2018 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


MODESTO, Calif. - For the third time this week, the Stockton Ports had their opponent down to its final out before suffering a walk-off loss. On Wednesday night, it was the Modesto Nuts who rallied with two outs and the bases empty in the bottom of the ninth to steal a win from the Ports as closer Sam Sheehan (1-1) saw five consecutive batters reach base after recording back-to-back outs to open the ninth. Modesto erased a two-run deficit and went on to a 6-5 walk-off win to avoid being swept at John Thurman Field.

The Ports opened the scoring in the second as Greg Deichmann led off with a double. Two batters later, Eric Marinez tripled to center to plate Deichmann. Marinez scored on an ensuing RBI single by Luis Barrera to make it a 2-0 contest.

Stockton starter Parker Dunshee, who entered the game having pitched 48.1 consecutive scoreless innings, kept Modesto off the board in the first. In the second, however, Dunshee gave up a leadoff triple to Nick Zammarelli, who scored on an ensuing RBI single by Joe Rizzo that cut the Ports lead to 2-1 and ended Dunshee's consecutive scoreless inning streak at 49.1 straight frames.

Stockton's inability to turn a double-play would cost them two runs in the fifth. With one on and one out, Dunshee got Donnie Walton to ground to second. Nate Mondou turned and threw to shortstop Kevin Merrell who was covering the bag, but Merrell dropped the ball. Instead of the inning being over, there were two on with one out. Evan White and Logan Taylor would make the Ports pay with back-to-back RBI singles to vault Modesto in front 3-2.

Dunshee would go on to set the side down in order in the sixth and would be in line for the win but would be rendered a no-decision. He went a career-long six innings and allowed three runs (one earned) on eight hits while striking out seven.

Modesto starter Danny Garcia would also fall victim to his team's inability to turn two in the seventh. With one on and one out, Barrera hit a double-play ball to first. Zammarelli fielded and made an errant throw down to second resulting in two being aboard with one out. Garcia was then lifted for David McKay. After McKay got Collin Theroux to pop out, he surrendered three straight two-out RBI singles to Merrell, Nate Mondou and Dairon Blanco that gave the Ports a 5-3 advantage.

Garcia would also receive a no-decision as he went 6.1 innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on eight hits while striking out five. McKay would pitch an inning-and-two-thirds and give up one run on four hits.

After two scoreless frames worked by Boomer Biegalski, Sheehan came on to pitch the ninth and set the first two batters down with ease. With two outs and the bases clear, Sheehan gave up an infield single to Jhombeyker Morales, followed by back-to-back walks to Walton and Mike Zunino that loaded the bases. White came up with the bases loaded and was hit by the first pitch he saw to bring in a run and make it 5-4. Sheehan then fell behind 3-1 to Taylor, who would scorch a game-winning two-run single down the left field line to give the Nuts an improbably 6-5 victory.

Sheehan would suffer the blown save and the loss, while Wyatt Mills (1-0), who worked a perfect top of the ninth for Modesto, picked up his first California League victory.

Merrell, who went 2-for-5 on the night, extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

After taking two of three from Modesto, the Ports return home on Thursday night to begin a four-game series with the Visalia Rawhide. Brian Howard (1-1, 1.74 ERA) makes the start in the series opener for Stockton, opposed by Visalia right-hander Connor Grey (2-0, 1.59 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PDT.

Check out the Stockton Ports Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



California League Stories from April 19, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central