Ports Hang On For A 9-8 Win
July 20, 2010 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
The Stockton Ports (45-50) took an 8-4 lead by scoring eight runs in the fourth frame, and held on to defeat the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (53-42), 9-8 on Monday. The Ports finished the homestand with a 5-1 record, and are now 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Stockton starter Ben Hornbeck struck out eight in 5.0 innings for his third win on the season. He allowed four runs on seven hits in the start. Paul Smyth picked up his 16th save, striking out the side in the ninth inning. The Ports totaled 12 hits in the contest, with Grant Green finishing the contest 4x5 with a two-run home run and three RBI. Jermaine Mitchell and Kent Walton each had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI.
The Quakes jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Center fielder Mike Trout doubled to right field to lead off the inning. He came around to score on a two-run home run by first baseman Gabe Jacobo.
Rancho Cucamonga made it 4-0 in the fourth inning. Right fielder Clay Fuller struck out swinging, but advanced to first and second on a throwing error by Ports catcher Ryan Ortiz. Fuller stole third while designated hitter Angel Castillo was at-bat, and came around to score as Castillo hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Left fielder Eric Oliver then hit his fourth home run of the year, a solo shot to left field, to put the Quakes ahead, 4-0.
Rancho Cucamonga starter Patrick Corbin, who turned 21 on Monday, kept the Ports hitless in the first three innings, retiring the Ports in order, and striking out four.
But Stockton got to Corbin in the fourth inning, splitting the game wide open by scoring eight runs. Mitchell led off the inning with a single for the first Stockton hit of the game. Green then drilled a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall for his tenth home run of the season to make it 4-2. Stephen Parker then grounded out and Mike Spina struck out. With two out, right fielder Jeremy Barfield singled. Tyler Ladendorf followed him on base with a single, and then Ortiz walked to load the bases.
Designated hitter David Thomas singled toward second base and the ball just grazed the top of Jon Townsend's glove. Barfield and Ladendorf both scored to tie the game. With left fielder Kent Walton at the plate, Thomas stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Walton then singled to center field, which allowed Ortiz and Thomas to come home and make it 6-4 in favor of Stockton.
The hit parade continued as Mitchell came back up to bat and slammed his sixth home run of the year over the left field wall to give the Ports a 8-4 advantage. Green collected his second hit of the night, but then Parker flew out to end the inning.
Stockton added their ninth and final run in the sixth inning, as an RBI single by Green scored Ortiz.
The Quakes added their fifth run in the seventh inning. Trout tripled to right field to start the frame, and scored as Luis Jimenez grounded out to Parker at third base. Rancho Cucamonga rallied in the eighth inning for three runs to make it a one-run game.
Scott Deal was on the hill for the Ports in the eighth inning. Fuller doubled to right field to star things. Deal then got Castillo to ground out before walking Oliver. Stockton manager Steve Scarsone then replaced deal with righty Jose Pina. Pina gave up an RBI single to Townsend to make it 9-6. Shortstop Jesus Campos then grounded out to short, which allowed the seventh Quakes run to score. Trout hit an RBI single to make it 9-8. Trout was caught stealing as he tried to take third while catcher Alberto Rosario was at the plate for the final out of the inning.
Smyth made things interesting in the ninth inning. After striking out the first two batters, he gave up back-to-back singles to Jacobo and Fuller. He got Castillo to strike out swinging to end the game.
The Ports start a six-game road trip on Tuesday, visiting the San Jose Giants and Visalia Rawhide for three games apiece. RHP Justin Murray (6-3, 3.65) will take the hill for the Ports, while RHP Oliver Odle (10-3, 4.53) will start for the Giants at 7:00 PM PST on Tuesday. Fans can follow the game live on KWSX 1280 AM.
California League Stories from July 20, 2010
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- Ports Hang On For A 9-8 Win - Stockton Ports
- Giants Complete Series Sweep Of The JetHawks - Lancaster JetHawks
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