Sports stats



CalL1 Stockton Ports

Ports Capitalize on Blaze Errors, Win 7-5

September 4, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif.- The Stockton Ports (59-77) avoided the sweep Thursday night, scoring six runs on four Bakersfield Blaze (71-65) errors. The Ports edged the Blaze, 7-5, at Banner Island Ballpark.

Matt Smith and Grant Green led the team with two hits apiece. Green finished the game with three RBI and a double. Gabriel Ortiz also brought home two runs in the game.

Ports starter Pedro Figueroa collected his first decision in his last five starts, picking up his third win of the year. He allowed five runs on eight hits with nine strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Lance Sewell tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, and Jason Ray collected his fourth save, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings as well. Richard Bleier took the loss for the Blaze.

Bakersfield took an early 1-0 lead. Shortstop Davis Stoneburner singled and stole second. Designated hitter Ian Gac slammed an RBI double to left field to bring home Stoneburner. Figueroa struck out the side to end the inning.

The Blaze made it 3-0 in the fourth frame. First baseman Mauro Gomez led off with a double to center field. After Gac flew out, third baseman Tommy Mendonca singled to score Gomez. Mendonca moved to third on a single by left fielder Timothy Rodriguez. Center fielder David Paisano hit into a fielder's choice, which put out Rodriguez at second and allowed Mendonca to score. Catcher Jose Felix lined out to second baseman Frank Martinez to end the inning.

The Ports blew the game wide open by scoring six runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a lead they would not relinquish.

Martinez led off the fifth with a single. He moved to second as shortstop Michael Richard reached on an error by second baseman Matthew Lawson, who bobbled the ball in an attempt to get a double play. Smith loaded the bases with no out on an error committed by Stoneburner. Green stepped up to the plate for his second at-bat of the game and ripped a two-RBI double. With runners on third and second with no out, Ortiz singled to bring home Smith and Green. Lawson committed his second error of the game, allowing Jermaine Mitchell to reach first. Left fielder Shane Keough batted next, and Ortiz and Mitchell successfully turned a double steal during his at-bat. Keough hit the ball toward third, and Mendonca made a throwing error. Keough rounded first and second on the error, as Ortiz and Mitchell scored. Keough went to third, but was thrown out on a 3-2-5 play. Ports first baseman Steven Kleen then took first as he was hit by a pitch. It was the second time he was hit by a pitch in as many games. Todd Johnson struck out and Martinez grounded into a fielder's choice play to end the inning.

The Blaze added a pair of runs in the seventh to pull within one run of Stockton. With one out, Paisano walked, and was followed on base by Felix, who singled. Paisano scored on an RBI single by Lawson. Stoneburner followed with a single to load the bases with one out. Ports manager Aaron Nieckula then pulled Figueroa in favor of Sewell. Sewell struck out right fielder Joey Butler, but then gave up an RBI single to Gomez. With the bases still loaded, Sewell got Gac to fly out to Mitchell to get out of the jam.

The Ports added an insurance run in the ninth to make it 7-5. Martinez led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Michael Richard. Green knocked an RBI single to score Martinez.

The Ports will face Visalia in the final series of the season. The Ports and Rawhide will square off at 7:05 p.m. on Friday. LHP Ben Hornbeck (5-4, 3.72) will take the mound for the Ports, while LHP Pat McAnaney (10-7, 4.40) will start for the Rawhide.

Check out the Stockton Ports Statistics



California League Stories from September 4, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central