Bullpen Buoys Ports To 4-2 Win

MODESTO, Calif. - For the second night in a row, the Stockton Ports bullpen completely shut down the opposition. After combining for 4.1 scoreless frames on Friday night against the San Jose Giants, Stockton's 'pen hurled 5.2 scoreless frames to preserve a 4-2 victory over the Modesto Nuts. The Ports bullpen has now combined for 10 consecutive scoreless innings of relief.

Before the bullpen could preserve Stockton's lead, an old friend made a triumphant return to the Cal-League and put the Ports in front. Yusuf Carter, a Cal-League All-Star from a year ago, rejoined the team and hit a two-run homer in his first at-bat off Nuts starter Juan Nicasio (8-5) in the second inning. The home run was part of a 2-for-4 effort for Carter on the night.

The Ports added another run in the third. David Thomas led off with a single, followed by an RBI double from Tyler Ladendorf to make it a 3-0 ballgame.

Brett Tomko, starting the game on a rehab assignment for Stockton, allowed a hit and a walk in each of the first two innings but didn't allow a run in that span.

Tomko would fall victim to a mental mistake made by the catcher Carter in the third. With Jordan Pacheco at first and one out, Tomko struck out Ben Paulsen on a pitch in the dirt. Paulsen ran to first, but Carter didn't realize Paulsen was prohibited from taking first because it was occupied by Pacheco. Instead of throwing to second to get Pacheco, Carter threw to first unnecessarily, allowing Pacheco to reach second and the inning to continue. Joe Sanders came up next and singled to right to put Modesto on the board. Jimmy Cesario followed with an RBI knock to right to cut Stockton's lead to 3-2.

Tomko threw 72 pitches and went 3.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out four.

Stockton's bullpen took the baton beginning with one out in the fourth. Brett Hunter (2-0) came on after Tomko and tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief and was credited with the win. Scott Deal followed with two scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out four. Trey Barham pitched a perfect eighth and Paul Smyth (SV, 14) a perfect ninth to record his second save in as many nights.

The Ports tacked on an insurance run in the seventh. Todd Johnson led off with a triple off Nicasio and two batters later, Brandon Pinkney came through with a clutch single to center on a 1-2 pitch with one out to score Johnson and make it a two-run cushion at 4-2.

Nicasio took the loss after going seven innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out eight and not allowing a walk.

Kurt Yacko and Adam Jorgenson pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth, respectively, for the Nuts.

Stockton and Modesto will play the second game of their three-game set on Sunday afternoon at John Thurman Field. Left-hander Fabian Williamson (0-0, 6.35 ERA) will take the mound for the Ports, opposed by Nuts right-hander Dan Houston (4-5, 5.70 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. PDT.