Late Surge Gives Stockton 5-1 Win Over Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - A day after getting rained out in their series opener with the Bakersfield Blaze, the Stockton Ports offense made it rain in the late innings on Tuesday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark. Beginning in the seventh inning, the Boys of Banner Island scored five unanswered runs to beat the Blaze by a final of 5-1. With the win, the Ports climb back over the .500 mark, improving to 3-2 on the young season.

After an early standoff, it was Bakersfield that climbed into the run column first. Davis Stoneburner led off the inning with a double to left-center and Mitch Hilligrass followed with a single to center to put runners at the corners. Erik Morrison came up next and hit a bounding ball to third that scored Stoneburner on contact, putting the Blaze up 1-0.

The run turned out to be the only one allowed by Ports starter Justin Murray (1-0). Murray would go six strong innings, allowing just the one run on five hits while striking out five. Murray did not yield a walk in his six innings of work.

Meanwhile, Bakersfield starter Jacob Brigham was having a strong outing of his own. Brigham allowed just three hits in his 5.1 innings of work, however he did walk four batters. Brigham would pitch around the walks, however, with the help of two runners caught stealing and a play at the plate, he kept the Ports off the board.

Brigham went 5.1 scoreless frames, allowing three hits while striking out five in receiving a no-decision.

Stockton's offense finally came to life in the top of the seventh with Blaze reliever Mark Hamburger (0-1) on the hill. With two on and one out, Jermaine Mitchell tied the game with an RBI single to left that scored Tyler Ladendorf, who walked to start the inning. After Grant Green reached on a fielder's choice, David Thomas broke the tie with a two-run single to center, scoring Mitchell and Green and putting the Ports ahead to stay 3-1.

Hamburger lasted just two-thirds of an inning, allowing three runs on two hits in a losing effort.

The Ports added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth when Ryan Ortiz hit his first home run of the season-a two-run blast off Justin Miller to straight away center to make it 5-1.

Jose Pina and Trey Barham combined to pitch a scoreless seventh and eighth for Stockton, while Daniel Sattler closed the game out by striking out the side in the ninth.

The Ports and Blaze will wrap up their series on Wednesday at Sam Lynn Ballpark. Shawn Haviland (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will head to the bump for Stockton, opposed by right-hander Wilfredo Boscan (1-0, 4.50 ERA) for Bakersfield. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. PDT.