CalL1 Stockton Ports

Oaks Walk Their Way To 6-2 Win Over Ports

Published on July 18, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - For a time on Thursday night, it looked as if the Stockton Ports would play with fire and not be burned. Ports starter Henry Rodriguez--fresh off his performance from the XM Futures Game at Yankee Stadium--walked seven batters in his five innings of work and did not allow a run. Though Rodriguez would not get burned, the Ports bullpen would as the Visalia Oaks scored six late-inning runs to overcome the Ports 6-2. The loss ends Stockton's five-game winning streak and is their first on the homestand.

Through the first five innings, Rodriguez and Oaks starter Chad Beck (3-2) would work their way in and out of trouble. Rodriguez twice escaped bases-loaded jams--once in the third and once in the fifth. Despite walking seven batters, Rodriguez did not allow a run as he balanced the walks with six strikeouts--many of which came in key spots. Rodriguez got a no-decision and went five scoreless frames.

Beck was a bit more under control than Rodriguez, though Beck had to fight through a few jams himself. Stockton put runners at the corners with just one out in the second, and Beck got back-to-back strikeouts of Darryl Lawhorn and Jermaine Mitchell to end the threat. With two outs in the third, Josh Horton and Corey Brown drew back-to-back walks, but Beck got Chris Carter to strike out to end the inning.

The Oaks finally broke the scoreless tie in the sixth. With Derrick Gordon (3-3) in from the bullpen, Greg Thomson started the Visalia rally with a bunt single to third. Konrad Schmidt followed with a single to right, and Steve Mena brought in Thomsen with a fielder's choice force at second. Two batters later, Pedro Ciriaco doubled to right, scoring Mena and giving the Oaks a 2-0 lead.

Beck worked a 1-2-3-sixth inning to finish his night and would be credited with the win, going six scoreless frames and allowing just two hits while walking three and striking out eight.

With Gordon still on the hill in the top of the seventh, Pete Clifford led off with a double. Two batters later, Thomson knocked an RBI single to center, scoring Clifford and giving the Oaks a 3-0 lead. Jose Rojas would then enter the game to pitch for Stockton and Rojas loaded the bases by hitting Schmidt and walking Mena. Manny Ferrer then brought Thomson home with a sac-fly to right, giving the Oaks a 4-0 lead. All four runs were charged to Gordon, who took the loss after allowing the four runs on five hits in 1.1 innings.

Stockton finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh. With new pitcher Scott Maine on the hill, Donaldson led off with a solo homer to right to make it 4-1. It was Donaldson's fourth home run in seven games with Stockton since being traded by the Cubs. Donaldson, up until the ninth inning, had all three Stockton hits.

The Oaks tacked on two more runs off Rojas in the eighth. With runners at second and third and one out, Ed Easley hit a two-run single to center to make it 6-1 in favor of the Oaks. Those were the only two runs allowed by Rojas in his 2.2 innings of work.

In the ninth, the Ports added a run off Oaks reliever Kyler Newby on an RBI single from Matt Sulentic, scoring Donaldson and making it 6-2. Donaldson scored both Ports runs on the night and had three of the four Stockton hits.

Stockton and Visalia will play the rubber match of their three-game set on Friday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Travis Banwart (0-1, 2.33 ERA) will take the mound for the Ports, opposed by right-hander Wes Roemer (5-7, 4.45 ERA) for the Oaks. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PDT.

Check out the Stockton Ports Statistics

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California League Stories from July 18, 2008


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