CalL1 Stockton Ports

Ports Suffer First Loss, Fall 8-3 to Nuts

Published on April 9, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - On a rainy night at Banner Island Ballpark, the game's final result fit the setting for the Stockton Ports. Despite Modesto Nuts shortstop Emerson Jimenez committing four errors, Stockton failed to take advantage of scoring chances as they went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position on their way to an 8-3 loss, their first of the season.

Stockton its lone lead of the night in the second inning. Tyler Marincov drew a leadoff walk and scored three batters later on a fielder's choice fly ball to the outfield hit by John Nogowski to give the Ports a 1-0 advantage. After a Jimenez error put runners at first and second, Nuts starter Sam Howard struck out Jose Brizuela to escape any further trouble.

Modesto tied the score in the ensuing half inning. With one out, Max White reached on a bunt single and scored two batters later on an RBI single by Wes Rogers.

The Ports saw a scoring chance fall by the wayside in the third as they failed to score with runners at the corners and nobody out, with Howard picking up back-to-back strikeouts to escape the jam. Modesto then took the lead in the fourth on a two-out solo home run hit by Collin Ferguson to make it a 2-1 lead.

The Nuts added two more runs off Ports starter Brett Graves (0-1) in the fifth on a two-out, two-run single by Forrest Wall to make it a 4-1 contest. Graves suffered the loss in his California League debut, going five innings and allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out five.

The Ports took advantage of another Jimenez error in the fifth. With runners at first and third and one out, Joe Bennie hit what looked to be an inning-ending double play ball to Jimenez, who had the ball kick off his glove for an error that allowed a run to score and make it 4-2. It also deprived Howard of a decision as he was lifted in favor of Troy Neiman (1-0), who recorded back-to-back strikeouts upon entering the game.

Howard went 4.1 innings in his debut, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out six.

Bobby Wahl entered the game in relief of Graves to pitch the sixth and gave up a leadoff single to Shane Hoelscher. After recording a strikeout, Wahl issued back-to-back walks that loaded the bases and was lifted for Koby Gauna, who yielded a bases loaded walk to White that pushed the Nuts lead to 5-2. The run was charged to Wahl, who went one third of an inning.

Stockton got the run back off Nieman in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Nogowski doubled and scored on an ensuing single by Argenis Raga to cut the Nuts lead to 5-3. It was the only run surrendered by Nieman, who picked up the win after going 2.2 innings and allowing two hits while striking out five.

Rob Huber took over for the Ports in the eighth and went on to surrender three runs on a pair of homers over the final two frames, one by White in the eighth and a two-run blast by Hoelscher in the ninth.

Logan Cozart and Jerry Vasto each pitched a scoreless inning to close out the game for the Nuts.

The Ports and Nuts play the third game of their four-game set on Saturday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Heath Fillmyer (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes the start for Stockton, opposed by Jon Gray (0-0, 0.00 ERA) who makes the start on a Major League rehab assignment for Modesto. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PDT.

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California League Stories from April 9, 2016


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