Rough Fifth Inning Costs Stockton A 4-0 Lead In Thursday's Loss
July 9, 2010 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
Stockton (37-48) enjoyed a 4-0 lead until the fifth inning, when the San Jose (50-35) offense sparked to life. The Giants piled 10 runs in the latter half of the game, to secure the series win with an 11-5 victory on Thursday night at Banner Island Ballpark.
Grant Green, Stephen Parker and Kent Walton collected two hits apiece for the Ports. First baseman Mike Spina went 1x3 with a single to extend his hitting streak to a season-high eight games. While the Ports were successful in the beginning of the game, Stockton was held to just one hit in the last four innings of the game, as San Jose relievers Ryan Verdugo and Craig Whitaker combined to retire 12 of the last 13 Stockton batters. Michael Madsen picked up his fourth loss on the year, allowing six runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings. Despite having five errors in the game (tying a single season high), 10 of the 11 San Jose runs were earned for Ports pitchers.
Stockton pulled to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. With one out, Green reached safely on an error by Giants shortstop Jose Flores. He scored on an RBI double by Parker. Right fielder Jeremy Barfield snapped an 0x6 hitless streak with an RBI double to center field to score Parker.
The Ports added another pair of runs in the third inning to pull ahead, 4-0. Green led off with a single and moved to second as Parker singled to left field. Spina then walked to load the bases with no out. While Barfield was batting, San Jose starter Justin Fitzgerald threw a wild pitch, which allowed Green to score. Barfield struck out for the first out of the inning. Ladendorf then smacked a long sacrifice fly to center field, which allowed Parker to score the fourth Stockton run of the game.
The Giants ended the shutout in the top of the fourth, as catcher Johnny Monell slammed a solo home run over the Jackson Rancheria Back Porch. It was his second home run of the series and eighth on the year. Four of his eight home runs have come off Stockton pitchers this year.
The Giants busted the game wide open in the fifth inning, as they scored five runs. Flores led off the inning with a single. Third baseman Joel Weeks then singled to left-center field, but Ports outfielder David Thomas made a fielding error. Flores took third safely on the play. With runners on the corners, Juan Perez hit into a fielder's choice that allowed Flores to score. Madsen tried to pick Perez off first while Wendell Fairley was batting, but the throw went wild, and Perez took second. Fairley then singled. Francisco Peguero continued the hit parade, singling toward third base to bring home Perez and make it 4-3. Madsen got first baseman Michael Ambort to ground out for the second out of the inning, but then walked second baseman Charlie Culberson.
Ports manager then called on Scott Deal to relieve Madsen. Deal gave up a two-RBI double to Monell to make it 6-4 in favor of San Jose before retiring designated hitter Michael Sandoval.
The Ports added their fifth and final run in the fifth inning. Green led off with a double, and came trotting home on an RBI single by Spina.
While Deal pitched a scoreless sixth and Andrew Carignan pitched a shutout seventh inning, the Giants weren't finished yet. In the eighth inning with Carignan still on the hill, San Jose advanced to 9-5. Monell started things off with a double to left field. Sandoval then collected his first RBI on a double. Flores grounded out to Ladendorf for the first out of the frame, but then Weeks hit an RBI single to pad the San Jose lead and make it 8-5. Carignan gave up a double to Perez, before exiting the game. Southpaw Trey Barham entered the game and struck out Fairley. Peguero then reached on an error by Parker, which allowed Weeks to score. Peguero was caught stealing while Ambort was at bat.
In the ninth, the Ports called on Scott Hodsdon to face the Giants. After retiring the first batter, he gave up a single to Culberson. Ports catcher Ramon Soto tried to throw Culberson out at second, but the throw went wild, and Culberson reached third. Monell next walked on four straight pitches. Sandoval stepped up to the plate and hit an RBI double to make it 10-5. Flores then grounded out to Green at shortstop, but Monell scored on the play to give San Jose a six-run advantage. Hodsdon got Weeks to ground out to end the ninth.
The Ports were retired in order from the seventh through the ninth innings.
The Ports will look to avoid being swept by the Giants on Friday night at 7:05 PM PST at Banner Island Ballpark. LHP Ben Hornbeck (1-2, 4.79) will take the hill for Stockton, while RHP Oliver Odle (9-2, 3.90).
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