Ports Win Another Tight Game, Sweep 66ers
San Bernardino, CA- The Stockton Ports downed the Inland Empire 66ers 2-1 at San Manuel Stadium on Thursday to secure a three-game sweep of the Sixers. The Ports combined margin of victory in the three contests was just four runs as the low-scoring, tight games all went the way of the Ports (54-76, 27-33).
Stockton scored first in the fourth when Melvin Mercedes led off with a walk. He scored on Jose Brizeula's triple to right to make it 1-0. That was the only run the Ports got against Inland Empire starter Grayson Long in his Cal League debut. The righty out of Texas A&M went four innings allowing just the one run on one hit with three walks and six Ks but was saddled with the loss. The Ports made it 2-0 in the sixth when Mercedes singled to open the frame against reliever Eric Karch. John Nogowski then blooped a single to center and a throwing error moved Mercedes to third base. He came home on Brizuela's sac fly.
Inland Empire (45-85, 22-38) finally got on the scoreboard in the ninth when Hutton Moyer smacked a solo shot, his 11th, out to dead center against fellow Pepperdine Wave Corey Miller. The hit was the Sixers' lone extra-base hit in the entire series and was the only run the Sixers brought home on Thursday.
Ports starting pitcher Evan Manarino (1-1) earned the win with six shutout innings on four hits with three walks and three Ks. Joey Wagman earned his first save of the year with two Ks in a perfect ninth.
The Sixers open a series at home against Rancho Cucamonga Friday at 7:05 pm. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com and 1570 AM KPRO.
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