Stockton Shuts Out High Desert In Series Finale
Published on June 1, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - In a series where the offense had been falling short, the Stockton Ports pitching staff took matters into their own hands on Saturday night. For the seventh time this season, the Ports pitching staff spun a shutout, as they blanked the High Desert Mavericks by a final of 4-0 before a crowd of 5,592--the largest crowd of the season at Banner Island Ballpark. With the win, the Ports earned a split in the four game series and stay four games behind San Jose for first place in the North Division.
In the top of the first inning, the Mavericks loaded the bases against Ports starter Brett Anderson, who was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day. Anderson, though, was able to get a ground ball out and escape the inning unscathed. It was one of the best chances High Desert had to score on the night.
The Ports put a base runner on in each of the first three innings, but couldn't break through until the fourth. With Mavs' starter Kyle Parker (5-2) on the hill, Darryl Lawhorn and Mike Affronti got back-to-back one out singles, and Jermaine Mitchell reached on an error made by Parker as he bobbled a bunted ball back to the mound, which loaded the bases. Raul Padron then broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single to right, giving the Ports a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, with two outs, Matt Sulentic delivered an RBI single to right which gave the Ports a 3-0 edge.
All the Ports runs scored against the starter Parker, who took the loss after going 4.2 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out five.
Anderson, coming off the DL, threw just 48 pitches but tossed four scoreless innings, allowing four hits while striking out six. James Heuser (3-1), who was originally penciled in to start the game, tossed two scoreless innings of relief and was credited with the win.
For the most part, High Desert's bullpen held strong the rest of the way. In the seventh inning, Josh Horton doubled off Austin Bibens-Dirkx and went to third on a passed ball. He scored two batters later when Lawhorn hit a sac-fly to left to make it 4-0. The run was unearned, and on the night, three of Stockton's four runs were unearned runs.
The Ports bullpen held strong down the stretch, as Derrick Gordon and Sam Demel followed Heuser and combined for three scoreless innings. On the night, Ports pitchers combined for nine strikeouts while walking just three.
Raul Padron had a strong offensive showing for the Ports, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.
The Ports will embark on a nine-game road trip beginning on Sunday, when the head to San Jose for one game. Jason Fernandez (5-3, 4.08 ERA) will head to the rubber for Stockton, opposed by right-hander Henry Sosa (0-0, 0.00 ERA) for the Giants. First pitch from Municipal Stadium is set for 5 p.m. PST.
California League Stories from June 1, 2008
- Stockton Shuts Out High Desert In Series Finale - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Lose to Storm 3-1 - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Jason Schmidt Helps 66ers to Series Split with JetHawks - Lancaster JetHawks
- Jason Schmidt Helps 66ers to Series Split with JetHawks - Lancaster JetHawks
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