Ports Demolish JetHawks in 18-2 Victory
Published on June 29, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif.- The Stockton Ports (26-48) snapped a six-game losing streak with a tremendous offensive outpowering against the Lancaster JetHawks (28-46), winning their first game of the second half, 18-2, Sunday night at Banner Island Ballpark.
It is the most number of runs the Ports have scored in a single game this season, and it was their largest margin of victory this season. It was their first home victory since June 18.
Each Ports starter got a hit and all put one had an RBI in the contest. Eleven of the Ports' 22 hits were for extra bases. Second baseman Jemile Weeks went 3x6 with a double, a triple and three RBI to extend his hitting streak to 22 games. First baseman Steve Kleen had three doubles in the game, and third baseman Matt Smith clobbered two home runs in the game. Smith had seven RBI in the game, a new season-high for the team.
Southpaw Ben Hornbeck started for the Ports and struck out eight in 4.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, and fanning eight. Left-handed pitcher Derrick Gordon threw 3.1 innings of one-hit baseball, and picked up his second win. Justin Friend struck out the side in the ninth inning to close the game for the Ports.
The JetHawks scored one run in the first inning, as Hornbeck had a rocky start. Center fielder Brandon Barnes led off the game with a single. Gabriel Suarez hit a sacrifice bunt, and reached first on a fielding error by Hornbeck. With Jon Gaston at bat, Yusuf Carter had a passed ball, which allowed Barnes to score and Suarez to move to second. Gaston reached base after being hit by a pitch. Right fielder T.J. Steele struck out, and catcher Koby Clemens hit a fielder's choice to Hornbeck. Hornbeck tried to put out Steele at second, but threw the ball wildly, allowing all runners to be safe. Hornbeck then struck out the next two batters to get out of the jam.
The Ports responded in the bottom of the first and never relinquished the lead. With runners on first and second, center fielder Grant Desme slammed a three-run home run to left field to put the Ports ahead, 3-1.
The Ports added seven runs in the second inning. Smith led off the inning with a walk, and was followed on base by designated hitter Jermaine Mitchell, who singled. Smith scored the fourth run for the Ports on an RBI single by left fielder Shane Keough. Weeks tripled to drive two more runs across the plate. The JetHawks then replaced starter Jack Tilghman with Jeff Icenogle. Icenogle allowed five runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings in the contest.
Icenogle walked Desme, and an RBI double by Kleen brought home Weeks. Carter then was intentionally walked and right fielder Todd Johnson hit an RBI single to drive home another Ports run. Smith then came back up to the plate and slammed a two-RBI double to score Kleen and Carter. Icenogle got Martinez to ground out and induced Keough to fly out to end the inning. But the Ports had a 10-1 lead.
The Ports added a pair of runs in the fourth to pull ahead, 12-1. Smith slammed a solo home run and Weeks collected another RBI with his fifth double of the season.
Lancaster plated their second run in the fifth frame. A sacrifice fly by Steele scored Suarez. Stockton relievers allowed just two more hits after the fifth, and struck out five JetHawks in the last four innings.
Smith put the Ports up 15-2 in the fifth with a three-run home run that cleared the Kinder's Barbecue building in dead centerfield. It was his fifth home run of the season.
In the seventh, Carter got things started with a single. He moved to third on a double by Johnson, and Carter scored as Smith grounded out. An RBI single by Mitchell brought home Johnson.
The Ports collected their final run of the game on an RBI single by shortstop Frank Martinez in the eighth inning. It was Martinez's first hit of the game, after grounding out in his first five at-bats of the game.
The Ports will play Game 2 of the three-game set at Banner Island Ballpark at 7:05 p.m. on Monday. LHP Carlos Hernandez (2-4, 5.31) will take the mound for Stockton, and will face off against RHP Bryan Hallberg (3-2, 3.91) in the contest.
California League Stories from June 29, 2009
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- Ports Demolish JetHawks in 18-2 Victory - Stockton Ports
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