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CalL1 Stockton Ports

Ports Hogtie Rawhide, 7-4

September 6, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif.- With a combination of terrific stingy starting pitching and solid hitting, the Stockton Ports (61-78) defeated the Visalia Rawhide (63-76), 7-4, on Sunday night to regain the series lead.

Left-handed pitcher Daniel Haigwood allowed one unearned run on two hits with 10 strikeouts in 6.0 innings for the Ports. Lance Sewell tossed two scoreless innings for the Ports in relief. Derrick Gordon was charged with three runs in the ninth, and a great diving catch for the third out by Jermaine Mitchell saved the Ports from allowing additional runs in the last inning.

All but three players collected two hits in the contest. Frank Martinez had two doubles, while Gabriel Ortiz and Todd Johnson each had a double. Matt Smith hit his first triple of ht season in the eighth inning. Steve Kleen and Martinez had two RBI in the contest as well.

The Ports were the first to score, adding a run in the third inning. Ortiz led with a double to left field, and Smith followed him on base with a single. Ortiz scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by Mitchell.

Stockton went ahead, 2-0, in the fourth. Right fielder Kleen singled to start the frame, and advanced to second as Johnson grounded out. Martinez hit his first RBI double of the game to score Kleen.

Visalia made it a one-run game in the top of the fifth. Right fielder Greg Thomson got on base after being hit by a pitch. Shortstop David Cooper then hit a fielder's choice to put out Thomson at second. Center fielder Ollie Linton then hit into a fielder's choice as well. With two out and Linton on first, second baseman James Skelton stepped up to the plate. Linton stole second and third while Skelton was at the plate. Catcher Ortiz threw the ball to try to catch Linton stealing third, but the throw went wild and Linton scored on the error. Haigwood struck out Skelton to end the inning.

The Ports added their third run of the game in the sixth. Shortstop Michael Richard led off the inning with a single, but was picked off at first. He was picked off twice in the contest. After Kleen struck out, Johnson slammed a double. Martinez then collected his second RBI double off the night to bring Johnson home.

The Ports went ahead 6-1 in the seventh frame. With one out, Ortiz reached on an error by third baseman Kyle Greene. Rawhide pitcher Ramon Sanchez then issued two consecutive walks to load the bases for the Ports. Kleen singled to left field to score two runs. Johnson then brought home another Stockton run with an RBI single.

In the eighth inning, Smith slammed a triple off the mini monster wall in left field to bring home Ortiz for the seventh Ports run of the contest.

In the ninth, the Ports called upon southpaw Derrick Gordon to face the Rawhide. He allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base. He gave up a leadoff single to Greene, and then walked left fielder Ryne White. An RBI single by designated hitter Andrew Fie drove home Greene. Ports manager Aaron Nieckula then pulled Gordon in favor of Leonardo Espinal. Catcher Ed Easley singled off Espinal to load the bases with no out. First baseman Nelson Gomez then hit a fielder's choice to third baseman Smith. Smith tagged the advancing runner Fie, and White scored from third on the play. With runners on first and second, Thomson came up to bat. During his at-bat, Ortiz led a ball get past him and both runners moved into scoring position. Thomson struck out for the second out of the inning. Cooper then knocked an RBI single to score Easley and pull Visalia within three. But the Rawhide would not chip away any further at the Ports lead. Linton slammed a ball to center field and Mitchell made a diving catch for the third and final out of the game.

The Ports will play their final game of the regular season at 6:05 p.m. PST at Banner Island Ballpark on Labor Day. LHP Anthony Capra (2-1, 3.13) will start for Stockton while RHP Christian Beltre (5-11, 6.69) will toe the rubber for Visalia.

The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive a Jemile Weeks replica jersey, and the Ports will also giveaway exciting gift packages, including a trip to Las Vegas, throughout the game as part of their Fan Appreciation Day festivities. Fan can also enjoy Ports highlights from the 2009 season on the video board. The Ports will also announce the winners of the 2009 Fan of the Year, Employee of the Year, Player of the Year and Dallas Braden Community Award in an on-field, pre-game ceremony.

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California League Stories from September 6, 2009


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