Spina's Walk-Off Homer Lifts Ports, 10-9
July 16, 2010 - California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
The Stockton Ports (42-49) put on an exciting game for 3,837 folks at Banner Island Ballpark on Thursday night. Hometown hero LHP Dallas Braden made a rehab start in the game, and Mike Spina hit a walk-off three-run home run to center field to lift the Ports 10-9 over the Visalia Rawhide (48-43).
It was the second straight win over the Rawhide, and secures the series victory for the Ports. Stockton hasn't defeated Visalia in two consecutive games since April 8 and 9. Scott Hodsdon picked up his first win of the season in the contest. Braden allowed three runs on seven hits in 4.0 innings in his rehab start. Trey Barham tossed 1.1 shutout innings in the contest to help hold the Rawhide. Billy Spottiswood picked up the loss for the Rawhide.
The Ports collected 12 hits in the game, and all but two players had a hit in the game. Jermaine Mitchell and Yusuf Carter homered in the game as well. The Ports are now 11-10 in the second half.
Stockton took an early lead, as Mitchell hit a lead-off home run over the Ports bullpen in left field off Visalia starter Daniel Taylor.
After tossing two shutout innings, Braden allowed a run in third inning, as Visalia tied the game. Shortstop Niko Gallego singled to start the inning. Braden then got Dan Kaczrowski and Alfredo Marte to fly out, before giving up a single to Marc Krauss. Paul Goldschmidt then hit an RBI single to score Gallego. Ryan Wheeler popped out to end the inning.
The Ports pulled ahead, 6-1, in the bottom of the fourth inning. Third baseman Stephen Parker led off with a single and advanced to second as Spina reached on an error by Wheeler. Carter then stepped up to the plate and dropped his fourth home run of the year over the left field wall to put Stockton up 4-1. It was his fourth home run in five game. Right fielder Jeremy Barfield flew out for the first out of the inning. Tyler Ladendorf and David Thomas hit back-to-back singles to keep the Ports offense rolling. Designated hitter Kent Walton notched an RBI single to score Ladendorf. Thomas came around to score on an RBI single by Mitchell.
Visalia inched closer, plating three runs in the top of the fifth to make it 6-4. Braden gave up back-to-back home runs to Krauss and Goldschmidt to start the inning. He was then relieved by Justin Murray. Murray got Wheeler to ground out before allowing a solo home run to catcher Josh Ford. Murray retired Brent Greer and Gallego to get out of the jam.
Visalia took their first lead of the game in the seventh inning, as they scored five runs for a 9-6 advantage. Murray walked Goldschmidt to lead off the inning, and gave up a single to Wheeler. Ford then collected another RBI by singling to center field. Right fielder Alberto Diaz kept the scoring going with an RBI single to bring home Wheeler.
The Ports then called on right-handed pitcher Scott Deal to face Greer. Greer laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Gallego then reached on an error by shortstop Grant Green, who had three errors on the night. The error allowed Ford to score the seventh Visalia run. Kaczrowski popped out for the second out of the inning. Marte then singled to collect an RBI and drive home Diaz. The Ports then called on southpaw Barham to pitch. Barham gave up a single to Krauss, which scored Gallego and put Visalia up 9-6.
Both teams were kept scoreless in the eighth. Hodsdon pitched a perfect ninth, and the Ports entered the bottom of the inning looking for a comeback. Visalia called on Spottiswood to face Stockton in the bottom of the ninth.
Thomas singled to start the inning, and moved to second as pinch hitter Todd Johnson singled toward the shortstop. Mitchell came up to bat and struck out for the first out of the inning. Green then walked to load the bases with one out for Parker. Parker grounded into a force out which put out Green at second, and allowed Thomas to score. So, the Ports had runners on the corners with two out for Spina. Spina strode to the plate, and slammed a 1-0 pitch well over center field to carry the Ports to victory. The Ports celebrated the win at home plate.
The Ports will look to sweep the Rawhide on Friday night at 7:05 PM at Banner Island Ballpark. RHP Brett Tomko (0-0, 5.4) will start for Stockton, while RHP Ryan Cook (4-4, 4.85) will take the hill for Visalia. Fans can follow the game live on Comcast Hometown Network (Channel 104) or on KWSX 1280 AM.
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- Spina's Walk-Off Homer Lifts Ports, 10-9 - Stockton Ports
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