Ports Lose 5-4 on Balk in Ninth
July 10, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Stockton Ports lost Sunday night's game to the San Jose Giants in one of the most unconventional ways possible. Ports closer Carlos Navas (2-5) committed a balk with two outs in the bottom of the ninth that allowed the winning run to score from third as the Giants came from behind, scoring three runs in the ninth to hand the Ports a 5-4 loss at Municipal Stadium.
San Jose opened the scoring in the second inning as Daniel Carbonell walked to open the inning, stole second, went to third on an error committed by catcher Argenis Raga and scored on a sac-fly by T.J. Bennett to put the Giants up 1-0.
Stockton scored the next four runs in the contest. In the fourth with one on and one out, Sandber Pimentel hit his second home run in as many games, a two-run shot to right to give the Ports a 2-1 lead. In the fifth, Giants starter Jose Morel walked Melvin Mercedes to open the frame. Mercedes stole second and scored three batters later as B.J. Boyd reached on an infield single on which a throwing error ensued by third baseman Cristian Paulino, allowing Mercedes to score to make it 3-1.
Morel received a no-decision for the Giants as he went 4.1 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits while walking three and striking out four
D.J. Snelten took over for San Jose to finish the fifth. Snelten allowed his only run of the game in the sixth as he gave up a leadoff double to Seth Brown, who scored two batters later on an RBI single by Mikey White to make it a 4-1 Stockton lead. It was the only run allowed by Snelten in 3.2 innings of relief for San Jose.
Ports starter Matt Sergey was in complete command after allowing the run in the second inning. Sergey retired 11 batters in a row taking him from the second out of the second inning through the fifth. He surrendered a leadoff home run to Ronnie Jebavy in the sixth, but set the next three batters down in order after that to complete his outing.
Sergey was in line for the win but was rendered a no-decision as he allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out eight in six innings. He retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced.
Corey Miller took over in relief to begin the seventh and set the side down in order. In the eighth, Miller got into some trouble as he issued a leadoff walk to Ty Ross and then committed an error on a comebacker to the mound trying to throw to second. After back-to-back groundouts left runners at second and third with two outs, Navas was summoned and got Dylan Davis to pop out to end the inning.
After Tyler Cyr (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth for San Jose, Navas came back to the mound to try and complete the game in the bottom of the inning. After recording the first out, Navas issued a walk to Carbonell, followed by an RBI double by Bennett and an RBI single by Paulino that tied the game at 4-4. With Paulino at second, Ross was intentionally walked to put runners at first and second. Navas then struck out pinch-hitter Jose Vizcaino, Jr. and Jebavy came up next. On a two-strike pitch, Navas uncorked a wild pitch that allowed the runners to advance to second and third. As Navas was coming set to deliver another pitch, he saw Paulino dancing off the third base bag. Navas instinctively flinched after coming set and the balk was called that allowed the runners to advance, giving the Giants a 5-4 win.
For the Ports, it marked their sixth loss when leading after the eighth inning. San Jose picked up its first win of the season when trailing after eight innings as they'd been 0-for-36 in that category.
The Ports and Giants wrap up their four-game series with a matinee on Monday afternoon at Municipal Stadium. Brett Graves (3-7, 5.44 ERA) makes the start for Stockton, opposed by San Jose southpaw Mark Reyes (7-3, 4.22 ERA). First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. PDT. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
California League Stories from July 10, 2016
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