Correa's Strong Outing Lifts Ports To 3-2 Win

VISALIA, Calif. - Stockton Ports starting pitcher Manny Correa (1-0) is no stranger to the California League and his experience shined on Saturday night at Recreation Ballpark. Correa held the Visalia Rawhide hitless through five innings and shut them out through seven as the Ports held on down the stretch for a 3-2 victory.

Stockton's lone scoring inning was the second. With one out, Matt Olson and Daniel Robertson hit back-to-back singles and Dusty Robinson drew a walk to load the bases. After Ryan Gorton fouled out to first, Wade Kirkland hit a two-out double to right that scored all three runners at put the Ports in front 3-0.

Rawhide starter Spencer Arroyo (0-1) went on to pitch six innings and allowed just the three runs on six hits while striking out three in a losing effort.

Meanwhile, Correa yielded a walk to Evan Marzilli to open the fourth, but Marzilli was subsequently caught stealing as Correa faced the minimum through five.

Correa allowed a bunt single to Socrates Brito to open the sixth and Raul Navarro followed with a single to right. Correa got Steven Rodriguez to hit into a 4-3 double play and then struck out Marzilli to escape the sixth-inning jam.

Correa picked up the win, going seven shutout innings and allowing three hits while striking out four.

Ryan Cook came on to start the eighth in his second Major League rehab appearance of the series. Cook yielded a leadoff home run to Brandon Jacobs that put Visalia in the run column. Brito followed and drew a walk. After Cook struck out Navarro, Rodriguez walked and Marzilli lined an RBI single to left to score Brito and make it 3-2. Cook went on to strike out Fidel Pena and then was lifted for Austin House (SV, 1), who got Brandon Drury to fly out to left with two aboard to preserve the 3-2 lead.

House went on to set the side down in order in the ninth, including a strikeout of Rudy Flores to start the inning and a strikeout of Jacobs to end the game as he earned his first save of the season.

Visalia relievers Cody Wheeler and Daniel Watts combined to shut out the Stockton offense over the final three innings.

The Ports and Rawhide will wrap up their four-game series on Sunday afternoon at Recreation Ballpark. Shawn Haviland (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his season debut for Stockton, opposed by Visalia left-hander Hector Hernandez (0-0, 0.00 ERA). First pitch is set for 1 p.m. PDT.