CalL1 Stockton Ports

Three Homers Lift JetHawks To 6-2 Win Over Ports

Published on August 27, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - After going 1-5 on their final road trip of the regular season, the Stockton Ports were looking forward to some home cookin' when they returned to Banner Island Ballpark on Tuesday night. The home cookin' didn't taste so good, however, as the league's hottest team--the Lancaster JetHawks--came flying into town for the first time this season and used their high-powered offense to spoil Stockton's homecoming. Three home runs were the cornerstone for the JetHawks in their 6-2 win in the first of a four game set.

The game was scoreless until the top of the fourth, when Stockton's defense became a bit suspect. With a runner at first and two out, Luis Segovia hit a line drive in the direction of Ports second baseman Carlos Arrieche. Arrieche had to leave his feet a bit, but seemed to be in position to snare the liner for the inning's final out. The ball went off Arrieche's glove and into right-center field, allowing Zak Farkes to score from first and giving Lancaster a 1-0 lead. Two batters later with runners at first and second, Yamaico Navarro hit a pop-up on the infield. Though a few infielders surrounded the pop-fly, the ball ended up dropping on the grass, a gift RBI single for Navarro and another run for the JetHawks.

Stockton answered right back in the bottom of the inning. Chris Carter led off against JetHawks starter Derrick Loop (5-0) and crushed his 37th home run of the season--a solo blast over the left-field fence to give the Ports their first run of the night. It was also Carter's 100th RBI on the year. The last Stockton Ports to reach the 100 RBI plateau was Myron Leslie, who knocked in 100 runs in 2006.

The solo blast was the only run allowed by Loop, who earned the win for Lancaster after going five innings, allowing seven hits while walking one and striking out three.

The JetHawks got the run right back in the top of the fifth. Jon Still led off with a solo blast--his 22nd home run of the season to make it 3-1. It was final run Godfrey would allow on the night. He would take the loss after going five innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out eight.

Lancaster began to pull away in the sixth. With one on and one out, Navarro knocked a two-run homer to left off Ports reliever Kristian Bell to give his team a 5-2 cushion. Those were the only runs Bell allowed in his lone inning of work.

The Ports got a run back in the sixth. Matt Spencer reached on a two-base throwing error by the third baseman Segovia to start the frame. Two batters later, Mike Massaro singled to center. Spencer was being held at third by manager Darren Bush, but the throw from center fielder Jason Place sailed over the head of the catcher Still, allowing Spencer to score on the second error of the inning. It ended up being the final run the Ports would score on the night.

Place would atone for his previous error, however, with a solo home run in the eighth off Ports reliever Mike Benacka, making it 6-2. It was the only run and the only hit allowed by Benacka in his two innings of work.

Lancaster relievers Cody McAllister and Bryce Cox would combine to retire the final 11 Ports batters to end the ballgame.

Jose Fragoso pitched a perfect ninth inning for Stockton.

The Ports and JetHawks will play the second game of their three-game set on Wednesday at Banner Island Ballpark. Scott Mitchinson (0-0, 3.86 ERA) will head to the hill for the Ports, opposed by Lancaster left-hander Felix Doubront (1-0, 0.00 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PDT.

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California League Stories from August 27, 2008


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