Ports Avoid No-No But Fall 5-0
Published on August 26, 2018 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
VISALIA, Calif. - The Stockton Ports avoided winding up on the wrong side of history Saturday night at Recreation Ballpark but couldn't avoid being blanked for the 14th time this season. Trace Loehr's two-out single in the top of the eighth saved the Ports from being no-hit, but Stockton would go on to suffer its second straight loss by a final of 5-0.
Visalia plated all if its runs on two-out hits. In the second inning with one on and two out, Anfernee Grier tripled to right-center to give the Rawhide a 1-0 lead. Adam Walton followed with a two-run homer to left to make it a 3-0 contest.
Ports starter Zack Erwin (8-10) would retire nine consecutive batters beginning with the second out of the third through the first out of the sixth, when the stretch was broken up by back-to-back singles by Jazz Chisholm and Renae Martinez. Two batters later with two outs, Pavin Smith delivered a two-run double that stretched the Visalia lead to 5-0 and chased Erwin from the game.
Erwin would suffer the loss, going 5 2/3 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out eight. Brendan Butler worked the final 2 1/3 innings scoreless for Stockton.
Visalia starter Jeff Bain (4-2) allowed two walks in the second and one in the fourth but did not allow a hit during his six innings of work. Bain pitched around a two-out error in the sixth and would go on to earn the win, tossing six scoreless, hitless innings while striking out eight.
Carlos Bustamante took over in the seventh and set down three consecutive batters after issuing a leadoff walk to Sandber Pimentel. Bustamante opened the eighth inning with back-to-back strikeouts before surrendering a single to Loehr, a clean line drive into right field, that put the Ports in the hit column. It was the only hit allowed by Bustamante in two scoreless innings.
Mason McCullough came on to work the ninth and gave up a one-out single to Pimentel. With two outs, McCullough issued back-to-back walks to put the possible-tying run in the on-deck circle but got Brallan Perez to fly out to right field to end the ballgame and complete the shutout for Visalia.
The Ports and Rawhide play the third game of their four-game set on Sunday night at Recreation Ballpark. Kyle Friedrichs (2-2, 3.92 ERA) makes the start for Stockton, opposed by Visalia right-hander Connor Grey (10-9, 4.93 ERA). First pitch is set for 6 p.m. PDT.
California League Stories from August 26, 2018
- Inland Empire Falls to Quakes 9-4 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Giants Suffer 5-1 Loss to Nuts - San Jose Giants
- Ports Avoid No-No But Fall 5-0 - Stockton Ports
- Nuts Stay Hot with 5-1 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Rawhide Flirt with No-Hitter - Visalia Rawhide
- Quakes Reach 80 Wins for Only Second Time, Win 9-4 - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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