STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Ports returned home and continued their winning ways on Monday night at Banner Island Ballpark. The Ports scored a combined nine runs over the fifth, sixth and seventh innings on their way to a 9-5 win over the Lancaster JetHawks, their fourth straight victory and
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Ports returned home and continued their winning ways on Monday night at Banner Island Ballpark. The Ports scored a combined nine runs over the fifth, sixth and seventh innings on their way to a 9-5 win over the Lancaster JetHawks, their fourth straight victory and their sixth win in their last seven games.
The JetHawks opened the scoring in the second inning as Ports starter Parker Dunshee walked Tyler Nevin to open the frame and gave up a two-out RBI single to Roberto Ramos that gave Lancaster a 1-0 lead. The JetHawks had a second runner, Vince Fernandez, thrown out at the plate on the same play. Lancaster added to its lead in the third as Carlos Herrera doubled to lead off the inning and scored on an ensuing RBI single by Forrest Wall to make it a 2-0 contest.
Lancaster starter Trey Killian pitched around baserunners in each of the first four innings and kept the Ports out of the run column in that span. In the fifth, however, the Ports loaded the bases on back-to-back singles and a walk and got their first run across on a sac-fly by Dairon Blanco to make it 2-1. The Ports added a second run on a wild pitch that tied the game and Killian would ultimately be lifted after walking his third batter of the frame.
Killian did not factor into the decision, going 4.2 innings and allowing two runs on six hits while walking five and striking out four.
The JetHawks jumped back in front in the sixth as Nevin opened the frame with a double and scored later in the frame on a sac-fly to left by Max George. It was the final run allowed by Dunshee who was rendered a no-decision after going six innings and allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out eight.
Stockton took its first lead in the sixth facing JetHawks reliever Heath Holder. With one on and two out, Jonah Heim and Dairon Blanco hit back-to-back singles with Blanco driving in a run to tie the game at 3-3. Skye Bolt then provided a two-run double that gave the Ports a 5-3 advantage. Holder would go one inning and allow three runs on three hits.
Lancaster tied the game in the seventh facing Ports reliever Angel Duno (1-0). Wall led off with a home run to right, his first run of the season and the first homer allowed by Duno. Willie Abreu followed with a double and Colton Welker brought him in with a game-tying RBI single to center to tie the game at 5-5. After issuing a walk, Duno would settle in and set down three straight batters to keep the game tied heading into the bottom of the seventh.
The Ports would pull ahead for good in the bottom of the seventh as they sent seven consecutive batters to the plate with two outs. After the first two batters were retired, Edwin Diaz doubled to center and Kevin Merrell drove him in with an RBI single to left to break the tie and give the Ports a 6-5 lead. Salvador Justo (1-1), who started the inning, was lifted for Juan Pena, who gave up back-to-back singles to Heim and Nate Mondou, with Heim driving in another run to make it 7-5. After a wild pitch and a passed ball scored two more runs and Pena walked three straight batters, he was lifted for Alexander Guillen who recorded the final out of the frame.
Justo would suffer the loss after allowing two runs on two hits in one inning. Duno would pick up the win after pitching the seventh for Stockton.
Miguel Romero came on to pitch the eighth and retired all six batters he faced to close out the contest.
The Ports and JetHawks play the second game of their four-game set on Tuesday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Brian Howard (2-2, 2.57 ERA) makes the start for Stockton, opposed by Lancaster right-hander Rico Garcia (3-1, 2.79). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PDT.
