Howard Deals, But Ports Fall 5-1

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Ports' offensive woes continued on Sunday afternoon at Banner Island Ballpark. Stockton squandered a career-best performance by starter Brian Howard who allowed just an unearned run over seven-and-two-thirds innings as the San Jose Giants scored four runs in the ninth inning and took the rubber match of a three-game series with the Ports by a final of 5-1.
San Jose scored the first run of the game in the fourth inning. Howard opened his outing by retiring 10 consecutive batters which was broken up by a one-out double by Jalen Miller, who advance to third on a bobble in left field by Luis Barrera. Wander Franco came up next and hit a sac-fly to left to score Miller and make it a 1-0 Giants lead.
The fourth inning run was unearned and the only tally surrendered by Howard who was rendered no-decision, allowing just two hits while striking out nine and working deeper into a game than any Ports starter had on the season.
Stockton's lone run of the game came in the fifth inning as Edwin Diaz worked a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single by Kevin Merrell, who broke out of a 0-for-26 drought. It was the only run allowed by Giants starter Conner Menez who also received a no-decision after going five innings and allowing two hits while walking three and striking out six.
The Ports had an opportunity to pull ahead in the bottom of the eighth facing Giants reliever Caleb Baragar (1-2) as they loaded the bases with one out on a walk, infield single and an error. Barrera, who was due to come up with the bases loaded and one out, was lifted for pinch-hitter Jason Goldstein who hit into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double-play to end the threat.
Will Gilbert (3-1), who took over for Howard and finished the eighth inning, worked into the ninth and issued a leadoff walk to Bryce Johnson. Jalen Miller followed with a bunt single to put two aboard and, after a sacrifice bunt, Jacob Heyward was intentionally walked to load the bases. Frandy De La Rosa came up next and drew a walk that forced home Johnson and gave the Giants a 2-1 lead. After Matt Winn struck out, Gio Brusa lined a bases-clearing triple to left to open the Giants lead up to 5-1.
Gilbert would suffer the loss as he allowed four runs on two hits while walking two over an inning-and-a-third. The four runs he allowed were the first he's allowed on the season.
Baragar, who pitched just the eighth inning, picked up the win for San Jose.
Following a day off on Monday, the Ports travel to Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday to open a three-game series with the Quakes that kicks off a six-game Southern California road trip. First pitch on Tuesday from Loan Mart Field is set for 7:05 p.m. PDT.