Early Lead Erased as Ports Outslugged by Giants
STOCKTON, Ca. – The Ports had a 7-0 lead after the fourth inning but could not hold on as the San Jose Giants clubbed five home runs to defeat Stockton in comeback fashion by the final score of 10-8 in 10 innings. The San Jose victory was the Giants’ seventh
STOCKTON, Ca. – The Ports had a 7-0 lead after the fourth inning but could not hold on as the San Jose Giants clubbed five home runs to defeat Stockton in comeback fashion by the final score of 10-8 in 10 innings. The San Jose victory was the Giants’ seventh in a row.
The Ports (25-40) got off to a good start in the bottom of the second inning. One out walks to Alexander Campos and CJ Rodriguez put runners on first and second for Marcos Brito who powered a three-run homer over the Jackson Rancheria Back Porch in right field to give Stockton a 3-0 lead.
Taking advantage of more wildness from San Jose starter Eric Silva, the Ports struck for four more in the bottom of the fourth inning. Walks to Campos, Rodriguez and Brito started the inning and loaded the bases with nobody out for Danny Bautista who lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to increase the Stockton lead to 4-0. With runners on first and second and two outs, Mariano Ricciardi then doubled to right field to score Rodriguez, making it 5-0. Max Muncy followed with a single to right field to plate Brito and Ricciardi giving the Ports a 7-0 lead.
Although Ports’ starter Yehizon Sanchez didn’t give up a hit through four innings, the Giants (39-26) flipped the script on Stockton starting in the top of the fifth. Riley Mahan, Garrett Frechette and Alexander Suarez all hit solo home runs to cut the Ports’ lead to 7-3. In the top of the sixth Victor Bericoto got San Jose to within two with a two run homer to make it 7-5.
The Giants tied the game against Stockton reliever Tyler Baum in the top of the seventh inning. With runners on second and third and two outs, Aeverson Arteaga singled through the left side to score two runs to pull San Jose even at seven all.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, though, the Ports reclaimed the advantage. Two walks, a passed ball and a wild pitch put runners on the corners with one out for Rodriguez who lifted a sacrifice fly to give the Ports an 8-7 lead.
With the score still 8-7 going into the top of the ninth inning and Hunter Breault on to try and close it out for Stockton, reigning California League Player of the Month Vaun Brown hit an 0-2 pitch over the wall in right field for a leadoff solo home run to tie the game at eight.
After the Ports failed to score in the bottom of the ninth, the Giants got two runs in the top of the tenth inning on an RBI doubles by Carter Williams and Dilan Rosario to take a 10-8 lead.
With Campos starting the inning at second base the Ports brought the winning run to the plate after a one-out walk to Brito, but Bautista struck out and Junior Perez popped out into foul territory to end the ballgame.
Manuel Mercedes (1-0) got the win for San Jose allowing just an unearned run in four innings of relief with seven strikeouts, while Breault (2-4) took the loss for Stockton giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits in two innings.
The Ports and Giants continue their six-game series with game three on Thursday night at 7:05 pm on Dock+Beer hat giveaway night to the first 750 fans. Tickets are available at stocktonports.com or by calling (209) 644-1900.