Anderson Aces Modesto As Ports Win 4-2

STOCKTON, Calif. - In his first professional outing as an Oakland A's farmhand, Stockton Ports pitcher Brett Anderson (1-0) showed why Billy Beane's Dan Haren trade might pay huge dividends in the near future.

Anderson, a former product of the Arizona Diamondbacks, was sensational in his Ports debut, tossing six scoreless innings and helping the Ports to a 4-2 win over the Modesto Nuts.

The Ports got all their offense early off Nuts starter Simon Ferrer (0-1). In the bottom of the first, Stockton scored their first run on a two-base fielding error made my Nuts second baseman Geoff Strickland. With Josh Horton at first, Chris Carter hit a pop-fly to shallow center. Strickland backpedaled all the way to deep center and dropped the fly ball, allowing Horton to score to give the Ports a 1-0 edge.

Stockton cashed in again in the second. With two on and nobody out, Archie Gilbert singled to center to make it 2-0. Horton followed and drew a walk, and with the bases loaded, Sean Doolittle stroked a two-run single to center to give the Ports a 4-0 lead. Subsequently, Horton was caught in a run-down between second and third and tagged out, and on the same play, Doolittle was caught in a pickle between first and second and tagged out to end the inning.

Ferrer, a knuckleballer, went five-plus innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits and did not record a strikeout.

Meanwhile, Anderson was masterful and set the tone for Stockton on the night. He earned the win after spinning six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, two of them infield singles, while striking out six.

Modesto finally got their offense going in the seventh. Ports reliever James Heuser came in to start the inning and struck out the first two batters he faced. After that, he allowed three straight hits--a single to Nelson Robledo, and then back-to-back doubles to Victor Ferrante and Matthew Repec to get Modesto to within two runs at 4-2. Heuser was able to bear down and strike out Travis Becktel to end the inning and avoid further damage.

Stockton's bullpen was solid the rest of the way, as Pat Currin and Andrew Carignan (SV, 1) each tossed a scoreless inning of relief and preserved the Ports' second straight win.

The Ports and Nuts will conclude their Opening Weekend series on Sunday afternoon at Banner Island Ballpark. Trevor Cahill (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will toe the rubber for Stockton, opposed by lefty Keith Weiser (0-0, 0.00 ERA) for Modesto. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. PST.