CalL1 Stockton Ports

Ports Drop Final Game of First Half, 8-2

Published on June 21, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif.- The Stockton Ports (25-45) gave up six runs to the San Jose Giants (42-28) in the eighth inning on Sunday, and lost the final game of the first half of the 2009 season, 8-2.

Stockton finished the first half of the season 25-45, which is the Ports' worst half-season record since finishing 23-47 (.329) in the second half of the 1999 season. The last time the Ports finished the first half with a winning percentage less than .400 was in 1961, when they finished 21-48 with a .304 winning percentage.

Ports reliever Derrick Gordon picked up his fourth loss of the season and Giants reliever David Mixon collected his first win of the season in the contest. The Ports collected seven hits in the game, but had three costly errors. Left fielder Shane Keough led the Ports offense, going 4x4 with four singles.

The Ports took the first lead of the game in the third inning. Right fielder Todd Johnson walked to lead off the inning, and advanced to second as second baseman Frank Martinez grounded out. Johnson took third base as center fielder Jermaine Mitchell grounded out. During Michael Richard's at bat, Johnson scored on a wild pitch to put Stockton ahead, 1-0.

San Jose captured their first lead, adding two runs in the fifth. To lead things off, catcher Aaron Lowenstein hit the ball to the infield on the third base side. Ports third baseman Christian Vitters charged, and gloved the ball, making a wild throw to Carter to try to put out Lowenstein. The play was scored a hit, and Lowenstein advanced to second on the throwing error. After right fielder Skyler Stromsmoe struck out, Shane Jordan singled to put two on for San Jose.

While Tyler Graham was at bat, Stockton starter Mathieu LeBlanc Poirier threw a wild pitch and Lowenstein scored. Graham walked, and the Ports replaced LeBlanc Poirier on the mound with southpaw Gordon. While Nick Noonan was at-bat, Jordan stole third base. Noonan hit a sacrifice fly to Keough, allowing Jordan to score. Conor Gillaspie hit into a force out play to end the inning.

The Ports tied up the game in the sixth inning. Martinez led off the inning with a single, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mitchell. Richard knocked home the tying run with his first single of the game. Richard was left stranded on base in the inning, as the next two batters were retired.

San Jose came back in the top of the eighth to regain the lead, adding on six. Graham led off the inning with a single, and stole second. Noonan then took first after being hit by a pitch, and Gillaspie walked to load the bases with no out. With Roger Kieschnick batting, Gordon threw a wild pitch, allowing Graham to score the third Giants run. Kieschnick then singled to drive home both runners and put San Jose up, 5-2.

The Ports then called on right-handed pitcher Leonardo Espinal to face the Giants. David Maroul doubled to left field, and Keough bobbled the ball for the Ports third error of the game, allowing Kieschnick to score. Lormand was hit by a pitch next, and then Lowenstein hit into a fielder's choice. Lormand was put out at second for the first out of the frame on the play. Stromsmoe then walked to load the bases for the Giants. A single by Jordan made it 7-2, and brought Graham back up to the plate. Graham grounded out, but Lowenstein scored the eighth San Jose run. Noonan walked, and the Ports called on southpaw Lance Sewell to face Gillaspie. Sewell got Gillaspie to fly out to end the threat.

The Ports loaded the bases but left all the runners stranded in the bottom of the eighth. Sewell struck out the side in the ninth to put a clamp on the San Jose offense. Keough singled to start off the ninth, but the Giants reliever Craig Whitaker retired the next three batters to end the game and the first half of the season.

The Ports will enjoy a three-day break for the All-Star Break from June 22-24. Catcher Yusuf Carter will represent Stockton in the 2009 California League-Carolina League All-Star Game at Lake Elsinore, Calif. on June 23 at The Diamond.

The Ports will start the second half on the road for three games at San Jose, and will return home for a six game homestand against Lancaster and San Jose starting on Sunday, June 28 at 6:05 p.m.

The Stockton Ports will be hosting a free pre-game youth baseball clinic on Sunday, June 28. Youth softball and baseball players aged 12 and under can learn new tips from Ports players and coaches between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. that day. June 28 is also Little League Night at the ballpark, and all Little Leagues are encouraged to attend. Fans can also meet Oakland A's pitcher and former Stockton Port Dallas Braden on June 28. He will be signing autographs for approximately two hours at the game. After the game, kids can run the bases like their favorite pro player.

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California League Stories from June 21, 2009


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