Sports stats



CalL1 Stockton Ports

Ports Shutout In Last Game of Season

September 7, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif.- In the final game of the 2009 season, the Stockton Ports (61-79) offense was held in check by the Visalia Rawhide (64-76), as the Ports were shutout for the tenth time this summer. The final series of the season ended in a split between the two clubs.

Stockton starter Anthony Capra allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits with seven strikeouts in 6.0 innings, and picked up his second loss of the season. Nick Walters, Hector Garcia and Jason Ray each tossed a scoreless inning of baseball. Christian Beltre picked up his sixth victory of the season for Visalia.

But the Ports offense and defense could not back up the strong pitching in the series and season finale. The Ports collected just four hits and committed two errors in the contest. Grant Green, the A's 2009 First Round Draft pick, went 2x4, in the game. Michael Richard and Shane Keough also singled in the contest.

The Rawhide took an early lead, pulling ahead 1-0 in the second inning. With two out, catcher Ed Easley hit a double to left center field. Easley came home to score on an RBI single by left fielder Brendan Duffy. Right fielder Greg Thomson got on base after being hit by a pitch. Shortstop David Cooper grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

Visalia made it 3-0 in the fifth. Cooper led off the inning with a walk, and moved to third on a single by center fielder Ollie Linton. Second baseman James Skelton then stepped up to the plate, and struck out. But Ports catcher Gabriel Ortiz dropped the third strike, and threw the ball wildly into right field. Skelton reached first safely on the error and Cooper scored. With runners on first and third and no out, third baseman Kyle Greene came up to bat. He grounded into a 3 unassisted play, and Linton scored. The next two batters were retired in order to get out of the jam.

From there, the Ports would hold the Rawhide scoreless, holding them to just three hits from the sixth through ninth frames. The Rawhide bullpen was likewise stingy, allowing just one hit and two batters to reach base in the last four innings of the game.

The Ports end the game with a 36-34 record in the second half, a marked improvement from their 25-45 first half record. But the Ports end in last place in the North Division of the California League. Visalia ends the season in fourth place in the North Division.

The Ports will look forward to another year of competitive California League baseball in 2010, with another crop of rising stars of the Oakland A's farm system.

Check out the Stockton Ports Statistics



California League Stories from September 7, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central