Stockton, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino fell to the Stockton Ports 4-3 on a walk-off two-run infield single by nine-hole hitter Josh Vidales at Banner Island Ballpark on Tuesday. The outcome ended a pair of streaks for as Inland Empire (20-19) saw its six-game winning streak halted
Stockton, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino fell to the Stockton Ports 4-3 on a walk-off two-run infield single by nine-hole hitter Josh Vidales at Banner Island Ballpark on Tuesday. The outcome ended a pair of streaks for as Inland Empire (20-19) saw its six-game winning streak halted and Stockton's eight-game losing skid was vanquished.
Inland Empire allowed a season worst eight walks in the contest and all four runs that scored came home in the game for Stockton were put on via the base-on-balls. Vidales got the Ports going in the third with a two RBI single off starter Luis Pena for a 2-0 lead. The Sixers got a run back in the fifth against Stockton (17-22) reliever Dustin Hurlbutt when Troy Montgomery singled and Matt Thaiss doubled to left to knock him home. The Sixers tied the game in the sixth when Taylor Ward drilled a solo homer to left, his first of the year, making it 2-2. Two batters later Cody Ramer doubled and then scored on Brendon Sanger's single to give the Sixers a 3-2 lead. The Sixers did not have another baserunner on the night.
In the ninth Sixers' reliever Nathan Bates walked Seth Brown and Mikey White to open the inning. After he struck out Chris Iriart he allowed a single to Brett Siddall to load the bases. The Sixers handed the ball to Jon Fitzsimmons who struck out pinch hitter Trent Gilbert and got ahead of Vidales with an 0-2 count. Vidales however legged out a slow roller for an infield hit scoring Brown and White raced home ahead of first baseman Thaiss' toss to the plate for the winning run.
The series continues Wednesday at 7:10 pm. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com.
