Stockton Puts up Big Inning to Win
Published on June 3, 2018 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
VISALIA, CA - For the second straight night, it was a big inning by Stockton that led the Ports to a win at Rawhide Ballpark. Tonight Stockton (35-21) used a five-run fourth en route to a 9-5 victory over the Rawhide.
Connor Grey had pitched well through three innings, allowing two runs on just two hits, but with one run in and two outs in the fourth, Luis Alejandro Basabe misplayed a grounder off the bat of Kevin Merrell. The error brought home a run and set up Nate Mondou for a three-run blast to right to cap the frame. At the time, Stockton led 7-3.
Grey (L, 4-3) was tagged for seven runs, only three of which were earned, over four innings. He struck out four and walked one.
Stockton starter Zack Erwin delivered a quality start for the Ports, holding the Rawhide to three runs on six hits over six innings. Erwin (W, 5-3) suffered a two-run double by Drew Ellis in the first and an RBI single by Daulton Varsho in the sixth, but struck out Ellis to end his night.
Through six, the Rawhide trailed 7-3, but Stockton rallied against Robby Sexton in the seventh as Jonah Heim and Will Toffey blasted back-to-back RBI doubles to put the Ports up 9-3.
Pavin Smith led off the bottom of the seventh inning by cranking a solo homer to right-center field, his sixth home run of the season and his third in the last four games. Smith also singled with one out in the ninth and was doubled home by Mark Karaviotis, but the Rawhide rally ended there as they fell 9-5.
Visalia (28-28) is back to the .500 mark for the first time since April 16, when they were just 6-6 on the young season. They now trail Stockton by 7 games with 14 contests remaining in the Cal League's first half. With a Ports win and a San Jose loss, Stockton's magic number to clinch the first-half championship now stands at ten games.
Smith, Basabe, Karaviotis, and Varsho all collected a pair of hits for the Rawhide while Ellis's two-run first-inning double gave him a team-high 35 RBIs this year. Karaviotis's two-hit night ended a prolonged slump that saw him go hitless for 17 at bats.
Tyler Mark and Miguel Aguilar both delivered perfect innings of the relief from the Visalia bullpen.
The Rawhide will look to salvage the third game of the series against Stockton tomorrow. Cal League ERA leader RHP Emilio Vargas (3-1, 1.41) will take the hill for the Rawhide against Stockton RHP Dustin Hurlbutt (1-0, 0.00). First pitch is at 6:00 PM and tickets are available on rawhidebaseball.com.
California League Stories from June 3, 2018
- 66ers Lose 5-1 at Lake Elsinore - Inland Empire 66ers
- Storm Withstands 66ers Late Rally - Inland Empire 66ers
- Quakes Fall Sunday, Now One Game Back in South - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Near No-No Helps 'Hawks Hold off Rancho - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Drop Rubber Game to Modesto, 6-5 - San Jose Giants
- Nuts Battle Back to Earn 6-5 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Ports Light up Rawhide 9-5, Win Fifth Straight - Stockton Ports
- Rancho Wins Fifth Straight, Moves into First-Place Tie - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Stockton Puts up Big Inning to Win - Visalia Rawhide
- Walton Whacks Winning Single in Comeback Win - Modesto Nuts
- 'Hawks Hampered by Homers in Rancho - Lancaster JetHawks
- Nuts Ninth-Inning Rally Sinks Giants - San Jose Giants
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.
