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CalL1 Stockton Ports

Ports lose lead late, fall 5-4 to Visalia

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


STOCKTON, Calif.- The Stockton Ports (60-78) took a 4-3 lead into the top of the ninth, and walked away at the end of the game with a 5-4 loss to the Visalia Rawhide (63-75). Ryne White knocked a two-run, pinch-hit home run off right-handed pitcher Jason Ray to lift Visalia to victory.

Julio Ramos made his Banner Island Ballpark debut for the Ports, and had a terrific outing. He allowed two runs on five hits and fanned nine in 7.0 innings. Derrick Gordon allowed an unearned run in an inning of work. Ray picked up his second loss of the season.

The Ports totaled 10 hits in the contest, as Michael Richard, Steve Kleen and Frank Martinez each had a pair of hits. But despite out-hitting the Rawhide 10-7, the Ports couldn't find the timely hitting they needed in the last frame.

The Ports took a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. With one out, shortstop Richard singled to left field, but tried to stretch the hit into a double. Richard was put out at second on an outfield assist by left fielder Brendan Duffy. First baseman Kleen doubled through the hole at shortstop. Kleen came home to score the first Stockton run as right fielder Todd Johnson reached on an error by second baseman James Skelton. Second baseman Martinez singled to center field to bring home Johnson and put the Ports ahead.

Visalia was held scoreless until the fifth inning, as the Ports turned a double play in each of the second, third and fourth innings to shutdown the Rawhide. With one out, Rawhide designated hitter Nelson Gomez singled. Duffy struck out and then catcher Jorge Corniel singled to put runners on the corners. With two out and two out, shortstop David Cooper stepped up to the plate. He slammed a triple down the right field line to clear the bases. Center fielder Ollie Linton lined out to Richard to end the inning, but the game was tied.

In the top of the eighth, Visalia took a 3-2 lead with Gordon on the hill for Stockton. After Cooper grounded out, Linton reached second base on an error by left fielder Shane Keough. Linton stole third while Skelton was at bat, and he came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Skelton.

The Ports responded by adding two runs in the eighth. Mitchell led off, and reached on a fielding error by first baseman Ed Easley. Richard knocked a bunt single toward third, and Greene bobbled the throw, allowing Mitchell to reach third and Richard to reach first safely. Kleen then popped out to Copper. With Johnson batting, Richard stole second. Then Corniel let a ball get past him, allowing Mitchell to score and Richard to go to third standing up while Johnson was still in his at-bat. Johnson singled up the middle for the ninth Stockton hit of the game, and Richard came trotting home. Martinez grounded into a double play to end the frame.

The Ports then called upon Ray to pitch to the Rawhide. Ray struck out Easley to start the frame. Gomez then singled, and was replaced by pinch-runner Greg Thomson. Thomson stole second while Duffy was at the plate, and Duffy struck out. With two out and a runner on second in the top of the ninth, Ryne White came on to pinch hit for Corniel. White slammed his sixth home run of the year to right field on the first pitch he saw, making it 5-4 Visalia. It was the first home run Ray has allowed this season.

In the bottom of the frame, the Ports led off with a single by Ortiz. Ortiz tried to stretch the hit to a double, and was put out 7-6-4 at second. Keough then struck out. Vitters collected his first hit of the game in the bottom of the ninth with two out, representing the tying run on the basepaths. Designated hitter Matt Smith then popped out to Easley in foul territory to end the game.

The Ports will look to regain the series lead in a 6:05 p.m. contest with Visalia on Sunday at Banner island Ballpark. LHP Daniel Haigwood (2-1, 3.68) will start for the Ports, while RHP Bryan Henry (5-4, 3.07) will take the mound for the Rawhide.

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California League Stories from September 6, 2009


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