Ports Can't Weather Storm in 10th Inning
July 28, 2010 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
The Stockton Ports made a bit of history on Tuesday night at Banner Island Ballpark, playing the 40,000th game in California League history. But the Ports (48-54) dropped the milestone game, as the Lake Elsinore Storm (62-40) scored eight runs in the tenth inning to defeat Stockton, 14-6.
The Ports had a 6-5 lead heading into the top of the ninth, but Paul Smyth blew the save, allowing the tying run to score on an RBI single by Cole Figueroa. Smyth and Jose Pina combined to give up eight runs in the tenth. The Port missed an opportunity to gain some ground in their division, as Modesto, San Jose and Visalia also lost on Tuesday night.
Smyth, in addition to collecting his ninth blown save of the year, also collected his fifth loss. Aaron Breit was the winner for Lake Elsinore. Ports starter Brett Tomko was in line for the win, as the Ports had a 6-5 lead when he left the game after five innings.
Tomko allowed five runs (including four solo home runs) on six hits in 5.0 innings. Lance Sewell tossed two shutout frames to extend his scoreless streak to 22.1 innings. He has not allowed a run since June 26. The Ports scored all six of their runs on three hits, including two home runs.
The Storm pulled ahead to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. Center fielder and leadoff batter Bo Davis slammed a home run into the far corner of the visitor's bullpen in left field on a 3-2 pitch to jumpstart the Lake Elsinore offense. It was his first home run for the Storm. Figueroa followed suit with a solo shot to right field on a 2-1 pitch. Tomko then retired the next three in order to get out of the jam.
Left fielder Jaff Decker hit the third Storm home run of the game to lead off the second inning. Tomko then hit designated hitter Allan Dykstra and walked shortstop Jesus Lopez. Catcher Robert Lara next singled to load the bases with no out. Tomko struck out Davis next, and then Figueroa hit into a fielder's choice play. Dykstra scored on the play to put Lake Elsinore ahead, 4-0.
The Ports got on board by scoring three in the third inning. Lake Elsinore starter Nick Schmidt pitched just two innings before being replaced with Gary Poynter. Poynter issued three walks to Kent Walton, Jermaine Mitchell and Grant Green to load the bases. With two out, Yusuf Carter singled to right field, to bring home two runs. Green came around to score later in the inning as Mike Spina reached on an error by Lopez.
Lake Elsinore made it 5-3 in the top of the fourth on a solo home run by Dykstra, his tenth this season.
But the Ports offense kept rolling in the bottom of the fourth, getting three runs off pitcher Nick Vincent. Right fielder Jeremy Barfield walked to start things off. Catcher Ryan Ortiz notched his eighth home run of the year, a two-run shot to left field, to tie the game at five runs. Green would later collect his eleventh homer of the year in the inning, a solo home run to left field, to put the Ports ahead, 6-5.
The two teams would remain scoreless from the fifth through eighth innings, as each bullpen kept a tight hold on batters.
Trey Barham would give up a leadoff double to Dykstra to start the ninth inning, after picking up a hold in the eighth inning. The Ports then called on Smyth to pitch. Smyth retired the first two batters he faced before hitting Davis with a pitch to put two on. Figueroa then hit an RBI single to second base. Stockton second baseman Tyler Ladendorf wasn't able to keep the ball in the infield, which allowed Dkystra to score the tying run. Smyth then struck out Daniel Robertson.
The Ports went down in order in the bottom of the ninth.
In the tenth, Smyth gave up a leadoff double, a single and then intentionally walked Jaff Decker to load the bases with no out. Smyth then hit Kevin Hansen to bring home the seventh Lake Elsinore run. Lopez hit an RBI single through the hole at shortstop to make it 8-6.
Ports manager Steve Scarsone then called on Jose Pina to face Lara. With Lara at the plate, Ortiz had a passed ball, which allowed Jaff Decker to score and make it 9-6 in favor of Lake Elsinore. Lara hit a two-RBI single to keep the Storm rolling and give them a five-run lead. Davis struck out, but then Pina walked Figueroa to put two on with just one out. Robertson then grounded out to Pina for the second out of the inning. But Lake Elsinore wasn't finished yet. Vice Belnome stepped back up to the plate for the second time in the inning, and slammed a three-run home run to left field to make it 14-6. Cody Decker collected another hit, and Pina walked Jaff Decker to put two on for Hansen. Hansen hit into an inning-ending fielder's choice.
The Ports put a base-runner on in the tenth inning, as Parker walked, but Stockton wasn't able to rally to overcome the eight-run deficit.
The Ports will work to even the series on Wednesday night at 7:05 PM PST. LHP Fabian Williamson (2-0, 4.35) will start for Stockton, while RHP Erik Davis (9-3, 4.02) will take the hill for Lake Elsinore. Fans can follow the game live on KWSX 1280 AM.
California League Stories from July 28, 2010
- Mavericks Suffer Disheartening Loss - High Desert Mavericks
- Lake Elsinore Wins 40,000th Game In League History - CalL1
- JetHawks, CCRC Host Laps 4 Literacy Starting Line Book Drive - Lancaster JetHawks
- Terra Vista Animal Hospital Bark In The Ballpark Tonight - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Ports Can't Weather Storm in 10th Inning - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Topple Giants on Tuesday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Monell's Two Home Runs Not Enough In 4-3 Loss - San Jose Giants
- JetHawks Defeat Error-Plagued Visalia - Lancaster JetHawks
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