Ports' Rally Falls Short in 9-6 Loss
August 1, 2010 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Ports (50-56) scored five runs in the final two innings, but their late push fell short, as the Modesto Nuts (54-52) took Game 2 by a 9-6 final.
Justin Marks picked up the loss in his Stockton Ports debut, allowing seven runs on seven hits in 4.0 innings with three walks. Mike Hart tossed two scoreless frames in his Ports debut, and Jose Pina didn't give up any runs in two innings of work either. Rob Scahill picked up his eighth win of the year in the contest.
The Ports totaled just six hits in the game. David Thomas collected a pair of triples in the game, and both Stephen Parker and Tyler Ladendorf ended the game with two RBI. Stockton shortstop Grant Green finished the game 0x5 with a strikeout to snap his hitting streak at 14 games.
The Nuts took a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning. After issuing back-to-back walks, Marks gave up a three-run home run to first baseman Ben Paulsen.
Modesto piled on three-more home runs in the third inning. Catcher Jordan Pacheco walked to start the inning. He moved to second on a wild pitch as Paulsen was at the plate. Paulsen struck out swinging, but the third strike got past Ports catcher Yusuf Carter, so Paulsen was safe at first. Shortstop Thomas Field hit an RBI single to make it 4-0. Paulsen scored on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Joe Sanders. A wild pitch to David Christensen allowed Field to take third. Christensen hit the ball to shortstop Green, who threw it to first baseman Mike Spina for the out. Spina dropped the ball for an error, allowing Christensen to be safe at first and Field to score the sixth Modesto run.
A solo home run by center fielder Tim Wheeler in the fourth inning put the Nuts ahead, 7-0.
The Ports didn't get their first hit until the fifth inning. Spina walked to start the fifth, and stole second while Todd Johnson was batting. Right fielder Jeremy Barfield hit an RBI single to center field to score Spina and end Modesto's shutout bid.
While Hart and Pina held the Nuts scoreless in the middle of the game, the Ports worked to chip away at the Modesto lead. In the eighth inning, the Ports made it a 7-3 ballgame. With one out, Thomas tripled to center field. Modesto pitcher Kurt Yacko then walked the next two batters to load the bases. Green next struck out swinging. Parker then singled through the hole at second base to score two runs.
In the top of the ninth, Field hit a two-run home run off southpaw Trey Barham to left field to pad the Modesto lead. It was his fourteenth home run of the season.
But the Ports offense wasn't finished yet. With one out, Modesto reliever Alan DeRatt walked Johnson. Barfield then struck out for the second out of the inning. Thomas slammed an RBI triple past the two outfielders in left-center field, which brought home Johnson, and made it 9-4. DeRatt then walked Jermaine Mitchell and gave up a two-RBI double to Tyler Ladendorf. With the score now 9-6, and a runner in scoring position, Green stepped up to the plate for his final chance to extend his hitting streak. He grounded out to second baseman Erik Wetzel to end the game.
The Ports will look to secure the series victory on Sunday at 6:05 PM PST at Banner Island Ballpark. RHP Brett Tomko (0-1, 8.50) will start on the hill for Stockton, while RHP Juan Nicasio (8-8, 4.20) will start for Modesto. Fans can follow the game live on KWSX 1280 AM.
California League Stories from August 1, 2010
- Carraway, Early Hitting Key to Mavs Win - High Desert Mavericks
- Bakersfield Pounds Lancaster 16-10 JetHawks fall in slugfest - Lancaster JetHawks
- Quakes Take Sole Possession of First with 4-3 Win - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants Escape With 8-6 Victory Over Inland Empire - San Jose Giants
- Ports' Rally Falls Short in 9-6 Loss - Stockton Ports
- Mavs lose 4-3 - High Desert Mavericks
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