CalL1 Stockton Ports

Ports Burned in Ninth, Fall 5-4

July 25, 2018 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


MODESTO, Calif. - Just when it appeared the Stockton Ports and Modesto Nuts were headed to extra innings, the Nuts were celebrating a win at John Thurman Field. With two outs and the bases empty in a tie game in the bottom of the ninth, Louis Boyd singled, stole second and scored on a single by Beau Branton as Modesto earned a 5-4 walk-off win over Stockton to open a three-game series.

Modesto got off to a fast start as Nick Zammarelli hit a two-out, two-run homer off Ports starter Kyle Friedrichs in the first inning to open the scoring. The Nuts doubled their lead in the second as Branton doubled with two aboard to drive in a run and make it 3-0. Boyd would score from third on an ensuing throwing error committed by Ports third baseman Brallan Perez that gave the Nuts a 4-0 advantage.

Friedrichs would allow back-to-back singles in the third inning but escape the inning unscathed. Those would be the last hits gotten by Modesto until the back-to-back singles that ended the game in the ninth. Friedrichs would not factor into the decision as he allowed four runs on six hits while striking out a season-high seven in five innings of work.

Nuts starter Reggie McClain set down the first seven batters he faced before hitting Collin Theroux with one out in the third. That sparked a three-run frame for Stockton as, with two on and two out, Chase Calabuig singled to center to score Theroux. Luke Persico followed with a two-run double down the left field line that brought the Ports to within a run at 4-3.

Stockton tied the score in the sixth inning as Persico opened the frame with a single to break up a stretch of six straight retired by McClain. With Persico at third base and two outs, Edwin Diaz delivered a clutch game-tying single to center field that knotted the score at 4-4.

McClain would also be rendered a no-decision as he allowed four runs on six hits over five-and-two-thirds innings.

Jack Anderson took over for McClain and finished the sixth, the start of two-and-a-third perfect frames worked by the right-hander. Wyatt Mills (6-0) would pitch around a one-out double by Trace Loehr in the ninth to keep the game tied heading to the bottom of the ninth.

Will Gilbert took over for Friedrichs in the sixth and pitched three perfect innings. Angel Duno (3-2) took over in the ninth and set down the first two batters he faced to make it 13 consecutive Nuts hitters retired by Ports pitching. Boyd broke up that stretch with a single to right field and, after stealing second, scored on the Branton single to right-center that won the game for Modesto.

Duno suffered the loss while Mills picked up the victory for the Nuts.

Stockton and Modesto play the second game of their three-game set on Wednesday night at John Thurman Field. Xavier Altamirano (3-2, 5.40 ERA) makes the start for the Ports, opposed by Nuts left-hander Nick Wells (3-2, 5.20 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PDT.

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California League Stories from July 25, 2018


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