Ports Stage Five-Run Comeback And Win 7-6 To Force Deciding Game Three
Published on September 5, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Ports rose from the ashes on Thursday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Facing elimination and trailing 6-2 in the bottom of the fifth, the Ports grabbed hold of the momentum and never let go, scoring five unanswered runs over the next three innings to take Game 2 of their series with the Modesto Nuts by a count of 7-6. With the win, the Ports avoid being swept and force a deciding third game in the series, to be played on Friday night at Banner Island Ballpark.
Stockton got off on the right foot in the bottom of the first. After back-to-back singles from Archie Gilbert and Josh Horton to put runners at the corners, Chris Carter brought Gilbert home with a sac-fly to deep center, giving the Ports an early 1-0 lead.
Modesto took the lead back in the top of the third. Ports starter Jason Glushon retired the first six batters he faced to start his night, but ran into trouble in the third inning. With one on and two out, Modesto got five straight hits--an RBI double from Anthony Jackson to tie the game at one, an RBI single from Daniel Mayora, an RBI single from Michael Paulk, and a single from Lino Garcia. When all was said and done, Modesto had scored three runs on five hits in the third--all the runs scoring with two outs, giving the Nuts a 3-1 lead. Glushon would allow another run in the fourth before being bounced from the game after going 3.2 innings.
Trailing 4-1 in the fourth, Josh Donaldson stepped to the plate with two down and knocked a solo homer over the fence in left, making it 4-2. It broke up a string of 11 in a row set down by Nuts starter Esmil Rogers.
Modesto got the run back and then some in the top of the fifth. With a runner at second and two out, Ports manager Darren Bush elected to have Derrick Gordon intentionally walk pinch-hitter Victor Ferrante. Ferrante and Paulk both advanced on a wild pitch and Mike McKenry made Gordon pay with a two-run bloop single to center, giving the Nuts a 6-2 edge.
In the bottom of the fifth, Stockton mounted their comeback. Frank Martinez worked a leadoff walk and Jermaine Mitchell followed with a single to left. Two batters later, Gilbert hit a ground ball to Nick Haley at third. Haley began what looked to be a 5-4-3 double-play, but the throw from the second baseman Jason Van Kooten to the first baseman Paulk was low, and Paulk had the ball bounce in front of him. Martinez came in to score from third on what was ruled an E-4, making it 6-3.
The Ports' biggest inning came in the sixth. With Rogers still on the hill, Matt Spencer led off with a double. Two batters later, Spencer scored on an RBI single to right from Corey Brown that pulled the Ports to within two runs. Martinez came up next and blooped a single into right, knocking Rogers from the game. Tommy Baumgardner came in next and hit Mitchell to load the bases. Mike Massaro then hit a ground ball to short. This time, the turn by Van Kooten was good, but Massaro was able to beat it out up the line at first to keep the inning alive with a run scoring on the play to make it 6-5. Gilbert came up next and, with runners at the corners, hit a slow bouncer up the third base line. The third baseman Haley tried to make a play on the ball but was unable to do so, scoring the tying run for the Ports and giving Gilbert an infield RBI single which tied the game at six. All the runs that scored were charged to Chacin, who received a no-decision after going 5.1 innings and allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out five.
Stockton would get the go-ahead and eventual winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Carter led off the inning against Nuts reliever Austin Chambliss (0-1) with a solo home run--an opposite-field shot over the 389 marker in right-center--giving the Ports a 7-6 lead. It would end up as the game's final score. It was the only run that Chambliss allowed in his inning of work.
The Ports got great bullpen work from James Heuser, Mike Benacka, and Pat Currin (SV, 1) who combined for four scoreless innings of relief from the sixth inning forward.
Stockton's win sets up a third and deciding game in the three-game mini-series, set to take place on Friday at Banner Island Ballpark. The winner of Friday's contest will advance to play the San Jose Giants for the North Division Championship. Right-hander Graham Godfrey (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will head to the hill for Stockton, opposed by right-hander Aneury Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) for Modesto. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PDT.
California League Stories from September 5, 2008
- 66ers Donate Nearly $10,000 to Local Hospital - Inland Empire 66ers
- JetHawks Set to Begin Playoffs Saturday Against Lake Elsinore - Lancaster JetHawks
- Ports Stage Five-Run Comeback And Win 7-6 To Force Deciding Game Three - Stockton Ports
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.
