Ports Win Third Straight, 3-2 Over Blaze
June 10, 2010 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
The Stockton Ports (27-33) overcame the Bakersfield Blaze (25-33) by 3-2 to hang on for their third straight win on Wednesday night at Banner Island Ballpark. It's their longest winning streak of the season, and also moves the Ports into solo possession of fourth place in the North Division.
The Ports totaled five hits in the contest, with Jermaine Mitchell leading the team with a pair of hits. Mike Spina collected a pair of RBI while Ryan Ortiz notched the game-winning RBI. Stockton starter Michael Madsen pitched a strong game, allowing just two hits in 5.2 scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Lefty Trey Barham pitched the Ports out of jam in the eighth and Fautino de los Santos picked up his first save on the year.
After Madsen retired the first six batters he faced, the Ports took a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the second, right fielder Jeremy Barfield walked to get things rolling for the Stockton offense. Left fielder Todd Johnson then singled to right field to put two on with no out. Spina then stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat of the evening, and launched a double to left field to bring home both base runners. Blaze starter Michael Main then retired the next three batters to get out of the inning.
Main and Madsen kept their opponents scoreless through the sixth inning. In the top of the seventh, Bakersfield scored its first run. Andrew Carignan was on the hill for Stockton, and he issued a leadoff walk to first baseman Johnny Whittleman. He then retired the next two batters before issuing back-to-back walks to load the bases. The Ports then called on Brett Hunter to pitch. He walked right fielder Jared Bolden to bring in Whittleman and make it 2-1. Hunter struck out left fielder David Pasiano to get out of the jam.
The Ports added their third and final run in the bottom of the seventh run. Barfield led off and reached on an error by shortstop Davis Stoneburner. Johnson then hit into a fielder's choice and advanced two bases as Main overthrew the ball trying to pick him off at first. With one out and a runner at third, Spina struck out. Ortiz stepped up to the plate and doubled to center field to bring home Johnson.
But the Bakersfield offense wasn't finished yet. Hunter gave up back-to-back singles and then walked Whittleman to load the bases to start the eighth inning. Hunter then walked catcher Jose Felix to bring in their second run of the game. Stockton then brought out Trey Barham to face third baseman Tommy Mendonca. The bases were still loaded with no out, but Barham neatly got out of the jam. Mendonca lined out to shortstop Tyler Ladendorf. Designated hitter Mike Bianucci came up to bat, and lined it to Ports third baseman Stephen Parker. Parker tagged third base to put out the advancing runner and threw the ball to Spina, who ran into Bianucci on the path to first for the inning-ending double play.
De los Santos retired the side in order in the ninth to secure the victory for Stockton.
The Ports will work for the series sweep on Thursday night on 7:05 PM at Banner Island Ballpark. RHP Justin Murray (4-3, 3.95) will start for Stockton while RHP Carlos Pimentel (5-1, 3.52) will take the hill for Bakersfield.
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