CalL1 Stockton Ports

Ports Ride Early Runs To 8-4 Victory

Published on August 14, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Ports scored five runs over the first two innings and those runs propelled them to a relatively lopsided victory on Saturday night at Banner Island Ballpark. The Ports built an 8-1 lead and saw the High Desert Mavericks score three runs in the ninth, but Stockton held on for the 8-4 win to even their three-game series with the Mavericks at a game apiece.

The Ports plated three runs before they even made an out. Melvin Mercedes walked, B.J. Boyd singled and James Harris hit a three-run homer to give the Ports the quick 3-0 advantage. The Ports added to their lead in the second inning as Seth Brown drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a passed ball and to third on a throwing error down to second made by Mavericks catcher Kevin Torres. After Richie Martin walked, Argenis Raga hit a sac-fly to left to score Brown and make it a 4-0 lead. Martin scored later in the inning on another throwing error by Torres to make it a 5-0 cushion.

Stockton's first five runs were given up by Mavericks starter Cody Palmquist (3-2), who suffered the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits over three-and-a-third innings.

Ports starter James Naile (3-0) got off to a fast start as he retired the first nine batters he faced. Naile would issue a walk and allow a single in the fourth that put runners at the corners with one out, but got Jose Cardona to hit into a 5-4-3 inning-ending double-play.

Juremi Profar led off the fifth for High Desert with a home run to left field to cut the Ports lead to 5-1. It was the only run allowed by Naile, who earned the win after going five innings and allowing three hits while matching a season-high with seven strikeouts.

The score remained 5-1 until the bottom of the eighth when the Ports added three insurance runs. With the bases loaded and one out, Mavericks reliever Matt Milroy walked Martin to bring in a sixth run. Two batters later with two outs, Mercedes coaxed a walk to make it 7-1 and knock Milroy from the game. Austin Pettibone came on in relief and issued another bases-loaded walk to Boyd, running the Ports lead to 8-1.

Milroy was charged with all three runs in the frame as he pitched an inning-and-two-thirds and walked three while allowing three hits.

After three scoreless innings combined from Victor Veliz and Koby Gauna, High Desert made a final push in the ninth versus Corey Miller. With two on and two out, Miller surrendered a three-run homer to Jairo Beras that cut the Ports lead to 8-4. After back-to-back singles put the possible-tying run in the on-deck circle, Cody Stull (SV, 4) was summoned and got Michael De Leon to hit into a fielder's choice force play to end the ballgame.

Miller allowed three runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning. Stull notched his fourth save of the season.

The Ports and Mavericks will play the rubber match of their three-game series and the final game of their season series on Sunday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Kyle Friedrichs (3-6, 4.75 ERA) will make the start for Stockton looking to end a personal five-game losing skid. He'll be opposed by High Desert right-hander Tyler Davis (4-5, 5.74 ERA). First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. PDT. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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California League Stories from August 14, 2016


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