Sports stats



CalL1 Stockton Ports

Ports Defeat Blaze 4-3

June 9, 2010 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


The Stockton Ports (26-33) handed the Bakersfield Blaze (25-32) their fifth straight loss, defeating the Blaze by 4-3 on Tuesday night on Banner Island Ballpark.

Ryan Ortiz collected two of the five Ports hits, and three of the five Stockton hits were doubles. Southpaw starter Ben Hornbeck picked up his first win of the year and his first career win against the Blaze. He struck out seven batters in 5.0 innings, but also hit some rough patches as he walked two, hit two batters and had two wild pitches in the appearance. Scott Hodsdon and Trey Barham pitched scoreless middle relief, each earning a hold, while Paul Smyth collected his ninth save of the year. Wilfredo Boscan collected his eighth loss of the year for Bakersfield.

The Blaze were the first to score, plating a run in the second frame, to make it 1-0. Third baseman Tommy Mendonca singled to lead things off. He advanced to second as left fielder Erik Morrison grounded out to Hornbeck. Right fielder Mike Bianucci then hit the ball to left field, and Shane Keough bobbled the ball. Bianucci reached first on the hit and advanced to second on the fielding error by Keough. Mendonca scored on the play. Shorstop Andres James popped out to end the inning.

The Ports pulled ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the third. Ortiz singled to get the offense rolling, and advanced to third on a double to left field by Keough. Centerfielder Jermaine Mitchell then walked to load the bases with no out for shortstop Grant Green. Green hit a long sacrifice fly to center field, which allowed Ortiz to score. Third baseman Stephen Parker then came up to bat, and hit into a fielder's choice which allowed Keough to score.

Bakersfield tied the game in the top of the fourth. With one out, Hornbeck walked Mendonca, and then hit Morrison with a pitch. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch while Bianucci was at-bat. Bianucci then grounded out to second baseman Tyler Ladendorf, which allowed Mendonca to score the second Bakersfield run of the game. Ladendorf was later ejected at the bottom of the fourth inning for arguing a called third strike. He was replaced in the field by Michael Richard.

The Blaze made it 3-2 and took their second and final lead of the game in the top of the fifth, as second baseman Davis Stoneburner scored on an RBI double by designated hitter Chris Gradoville.

But the lead didn't last long as the Ports added two runs to the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ortiz led things off with a double off the left field wall. Keough then grounded out. The Blaze then walked Mitchell for the second time to put runners on first and second for Green. Green flew out to right fielder Bianucci. Parker then hit into a fielder's choice, but the runners ended up safe at all the bases as Stoneburner bobbled the ball as he tried to put out Mitchell at second. Ortiz scored on the play. Ports right fielder Jeremy Barfield next hit an RBI single to bring home Mitchell. Johnson then hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

But the Ports had their 4-3 lead, and that was all the Ports pitching staff needed. Hodsdon allowed just one hit in 2.0 innings, and lefty Barham allowed one walk in his 0.2 innings of work. Barham was replaced in the bottom of the eighth as the Ports called on right-handed pitcher Smyth to face the right-handed hitter Morrison. Smyth struck out two and allowed one hit for 1.1 scoreless frames.

The Blaze also clamped down on the Ports offense in the last few innings, as only one of the last 10 Stockton batters was able to reach base.

The victory ensures that the Ports will have a better first-half record this season than they did in 2009, when they finished 25-45 in the first half.

The Ports and Blaze will face off in Game 3 of the four-game set at 7:05 PM on Wednesday at Banner Island Ballpark. RHP Michael Madsen (0-1, 4.50) will take the hill for Stockton while RHP Michael Main (2-2, 4.20) will start for Bakersfield.

Check out the Stockton Ports Statistics



California League Stories from June 9, 2010


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