STOCKTON, CA - The Stockton Ports (68-68/32-34) scored four runs in the first inning and never looked back, scoring 22 runs on 25 hits to defeat Visalia (68-68/23-34) 22-0. The loss gives Stockton the advantage in the head-to-head series between Visalia and Stockton and insures that, if there is a
STOCKTON, CA - The Stockton Ports (68-68/32-34) scored four runs in the first inning and never looked back, scoring 22 runs on 25 hits to defeat Visalia (68-68/23-34) 22-0. The loss gives Stockton the advantage in the head-to-head series between Visalia and Stockton and insures that, if there is a one-game playoff to determine the second half champion, it will be played in Stockton.
Bo Takahashi (L, 7-10) was pitching with a short bullpen after yesterday's 12-inning loss and lasted 3.2 innings, allowing a career-worst 12 runs, all earned, on 11 hits with five walks and three strikeouts. Cody Clark inherited two runners from Takahashi in the fourth and, on his second pitch, Skye Bolt hit a three-run homer. Clark also gave up a grand slam to Seth Brown in the sixth as a part of a seven-run frame, five of which went to the record of Clark. Stockton scored in every inning except for the fifth and seventh, and scored at least two runs every time.
Brandon Bailey (W, 2-1) dealt five shutout innings for Stockton and allowed just one hit while walking three and striking out seven. A combination of three relievers for the Ports held the Rawhide to just a hit and a walk over the final four innings of the game.
Jason Morozowski logged the only hits for the Rawhide, singling in both the third and seventh innings, to put up his third consecutive multi-hit game. Matt Jones and Jorge Flores both drew two walks, but they amounted to the only four baserunners on for Visalia on the night.
Stockton's Bolt set a career-best by driving in six runs on a five-hit night and Brown became the first Ports player to reach 100 RBIs in a season since Chris Carter did so in 2008.
Visalia, Stockton, and Modesto are now all tied for first place in the second half standings with four games remaining in the regular season. Second place San Jose sits one game back after falling to Inland Empire tonight.
Visalia will begin their final series of the regular season tomorrow in Modesto. Visalia will send Arizona Diamondbacks #13 prospect LHP Cody Reed (5-6, 3.74) to the bump against California League wins leader RHP Reggie McClain (12-9, 4.83) for the Nuts. First pitch is at 7:05 PM and the Visalia radio broadcast will be available on Rawhidebaseball.com.
