STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Ports remained the California League's hottest team on Tuesday night at Banner Island Ballpark. In a tight contest, the Ports got a sixth-inning home run from Edwin Diaz that ended up being the difference in the game as Stockton earned a 3-2 win over the
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Ports remained the California League's hottest team on Tuesday night at Banner Island Ballpark. In a tight contest, the Ports got a sixth-inning home run from Edwin Diaz that ended up being the difference in the game as Stockton earned a 3-2 win over the Lancaster JetHawks, their fifth consecutive win and their seventh win in the last eight games.
The Ports got off to a fast start with three straight singles in the first inning, the third coming from Jonah Heim to drive in Kevin Merrell and gave Stockton a 1-0 lead. The JetHawks countered with a solo home run off the bat of Roberto Ramos that tied the game in the top of the second.
Stockton pulled in front again in the fourth as Luis Barrera opened the inning with a double and scored two batters later on a double to right by Melvin Mercedes to make it 2-1. The one-run lead would be preserved by Ports starter Brian Howard, who was rendered a no-decision after going five innings and allowing one run on four hits while striking out four.
Andrew Tomasovich (1-0) came on to pitch the sixth and gave up back-to-back singles to open the inning. With one out, Vince Fernandez singled to right to plate Alan Trejo and tie the game at 2-2. Tomasovich, working with runners at the corners and one out, would induce a comebacker to the mound to get Tyler Nevin, the runner at third, in a rundown between third and home and then get Ramos to fly out to end the inning.
JetHawks starter Rico Garcia (3-2) would come back out to pitch the sixth and with two outs and the bases empty, surrender a solo home run to Diaz that gave the Ports a 3-2 advantage. Garcia would suffer the loss, going six innings and allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out five.
Tomasovich, who pitched a scoreless seventh, would pick up the victory after allowing one run on three hits in two innings.
After Sam Sheehan struck out the side in order in the eighth, Boomer Biegalski (SV, 1) came on to pitch the ninth and worked around a leadoff single and a two-out walk, getting Manny Melendez to ground out to Merrell at shortstop to end the ballgame and notch his first save of the season.
The Ports and JetHawks play the third game of their four-game set on Wednesday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Matt Milburn (1-1, 5.23 ERA) makes the start for Stockton, opposed by Lancaster right-hander Matt Dennis (1-4, 8.74 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PDT.
