CalL1 Stockton Ports

Nuts Sweep Ports in Mini-Series

Published on September 10, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Modesto Nuts (2-0) swept the Stockton Ports (0-2) in the California League Mini-Series with a 6-2 win on Thursday at Banner Island Ballpark. The Nuts advanced to the North Division Series to take on the San Jose Giants, while the Ports saw their season come to a close.

The Ports outhit the Nuts in Thursday's game, but the Ports left 10 runners stranded and went 4x13 with runners in scoring position. Grant Green finished the contest 3x5 with a double, while Todd Johnson, Stephen Parker, Jeremy Barfield and Tyler Ladendorf finished the game with two hits apiece.

Starter Justin Murray collected the lost, allowing six runs (two earned) on nine hits in 4.2 innings. Scott Deal, A.J. Huttenlocker, Mike Hart and Andrew Carignan all appeared in relief for Stockton and held the Nuts scoreless. Modesto starter Juan Nicasio collected the win, striking out eight and allowing one run on six hits in 6.0 innings.

The Nuts pulled ahead to a 4-0 lead in the second inning, on four consecutive RBI singles. Right fielder Jimmy Cesario was hit by a pitch to start the inning. He moved to second as Ryan Peisel walked. Catcher Dustin Garneau hit into a fielder's choice which put out Cesario at third. Murray then struck out left fielder David Christensen. With two on and two out, shortstop Erik Wetzel hit an RBI single toward shortstop to score Peisel. Garneau scored the second Nuts run on a single to left field by Tim Wheeler. Designated hitter Michael Zuanich singled to left field to bring home Wetzel and make it a 3-0 game. Ben Paulsen collected his second hit of the game to score Wheeler. Joe Sanders hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

The Ports scored their first run in the fourth inning to make it a 4-1 ballgame. With one out, shortstop Green singled. He moved to third on a double off the mini monster wall in left field by Parker. Mike Spina grounded out to Nicasio for the second out of the inning. Barfield then stepped up to the plate and singled to left field, which allowed Green to score. Both runners were left stranded as Ladendorf grounded out.

The Nuts answered right back in the top of the fifth to pad their lead. With two out, Cesario singled to short to get things rolling. Murray then gave up a two-run shot to Peisel. It was Peisel's first home run of the playoffs. The Ports then called on Deal, who got Garneau to ground out to end the inning.

The Ports had their scoring chances in the seventh, but left runners on the corners. Stockton scored its second and final run in the eighth inning. Green slammed a double off the Food 4 Less sign in left field. Parker came up to bat and singled. Green scored and Parker moved to second on a passed ball by Garneau while Spina was batting. But the Nuts retired Spina and Barfield to end the inning.

Things got interesting in the bottom of the ninth, as the Ports brought the tying run to the plate. With one out, catcher Dusty Napoleon (who replaced Yusuf Carter in the top of the seventh) singled. Left fielder Kent Walton then struck out for the fourth time of the night. Johnson stepped up to the plate and singled to left field. Designated hitter Brandon Pinckney then came up to bat and singled to the pitcher. With the bases loaded, Green came to bat. He worked a full count before lining out to Peisel at third base, who made a great grab to keep the ball from going down the line and allowing runs to score. The catch sealed the Modesto victory.

The Ports end the season with a 74-66 overall record in the regular season. They finished the season in second place in the North Division, after ending the first half in fourth place. The Ports went 0-2 in the playoffs and are now 111-99 in the California League playoffs.

For information about the 2011 season, including the 2011 schedule and ticket prices, please contact the Stockton Ports at (209) 644-1900 or visit stocktonports.com.

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California League Stories from September 10, 2010


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