Ports Drop Second Consecutive Game, 8-4
June 6, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif.-The past two Ports games were suspended due to the California League midnight rule-and Stockton was unable to complete the come-back in both games. The Ports lost Friday's game 8-4 when it was resumed Saturday evening.
Starter Mathieu LeBlanc Poirier got the loss for the Ports (21-34), his first decision of the year. He allowed eight runs on Friday. Starter Jake Wild picked up his third win for the High Desert Mavericks. The Ports totaled just eight hits in the contest, only one for extra bases.
The game began at 9:27 p.m. on Friday, after the Ports and Mavericks completed Thursday's game, which had to be resumed after being called on a curfew rule Thursday night. The Thursday game ended after 21 total innings, with High Desert taking the 7-6 victory.
Because Friday's game began so late, that game also had to be suspended due to the California League's rule that no inning can begin after midnight, so the two teams left the field after eight innings, with High Desert with a 6-4 lead.
The Mavericks pulled ahead 6-0 in the second inning, getting the better of Ports starter Poirier. Right fielder Carlos Peguero led off the inning by being hit by a pitch, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Catcher Travis Scott singled, and advanced to second on the throw. Peguero came around to score the first High Desert run on an RBI single by designated hitter Gavin Dickey. Poirier then walked Juan Diaz to load the bases.
Then Jeff Dominguez stepped up to the plate and launched a grand slam in to the Metro PCS Home Run Hill section in center field. Center fielder Tyson Gillies singled and stole second, and came around to score the sixth run on an RBI double by third baseman Edilio Colina.
The Ports plated a run in the third inning, to make it 6-1. Left fielder Shane Keough tripled to lead off the inning and scored on an error by Mavericks first baseman Joe Dunigan, as High Desert tried to pick-off Christian Vitters.
The Ports settled down and limited the Mavericks to just four hits from the third to eighth innings, and forcing High Desert to strand four total base runners.
The Ports got into the game in the bottom of the eighth, scoring three runs. Second baseman Michael Richard led off the frame with a single. Right fielder Todd Johnson followed him on base after being hit by a pitch. First baseman Yusuf Carter singled to load the bases. The Mavericks walked catcher Matt Smith, and the Ports walked in another run when Christian Vitters received a free pass. The Ports brought home their fourth run of the game on an RBI single by shortstop Frank Martinez. Jermaine Mitchell struck out swinging to end the game.
Play was suspended after the eighth frame due to the League curfew. On Friday when play resumed, the Mavericks game out swinging. Lance Sewell took the mound for the Ports, and issued a walk to Gillies. He struck out Colina, but allowed an RBI single to Jamie McOwen. Dunigan followed with his own RBI single to make it 8-6. Sewell retired the last two batters to send the Ports into the bottom of the ninth with a four-run deficit.
Michael Richard led off the ninth by being hit by a pitch by reliever Steven Richard. Raul Padron also singled to put two runners on with two out, but Matt Smith was struck out looking to end the game.
The Ports will look to win the last two games of the series for a split with the Mavericks.
California League Stories from June 6, 2009
- Five-Run Inning Buries Ports, 7-4 - Stockton Ports
- Key Extra Base Hits, Solid Pitching Lead Giants To Victory - San Jose Giants
- Ports Drop Second Consecutive Game, 8-4 - Stockton Ports
- One-Run Complete Game for Luebke - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Ports suspend second consecutive game due to time constraints - Stockton Ports
- Posey's 13th Inning Homer Gives San Jose A Walk-Off Win - San Jose Giants
- Great Pitching, Unlikely Power Source Send JetHawks to Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- Luebke Throws Complete Game as 66ers Drop Opener - Inland Empire 66ers
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.
