Paulino’s Home Run Helps Ports Win 4-2 over Inland Empire
STOCKTON, Calif. - After dropping the first two games of their series against Inland Empire, the Stockton Ports were in search of a complete, nine-inning performance. They played their best game of the series on Thursday night, and it all added up to a 4-2 win over the 66ers in
STOCKTON, Calif. - After dropping the first two games of their series against Inland Empire, the Stockton Ports were in search of a complete, nine-inning performance. They played their best game of the series on Thursday night, and it all added up to a 4-2 win over the 66ers in front of 2,889 fans at Banner Island Ballpark.
The Ports offense took charge early in the ballgame and responded well to a quick two-spot put up by the 66ers in the top of the first. Ramon Martinez led off the bottom of the first with a walk, and two batters later, Shane McGuire walked to put two runners on with one out in front of Jhoan Paulino. He got a hanging breaking ball from 66ers starter Fernando Guanare and lined a shot to deep left field that cleared the wall for a three-run home run. For Paulino, it was his first home run in over a month, and it put the Ports up 3-2 in the first inning.
Paulino was the cog in a two-out rally for the Ports in the bottom of the third inning, walking in front of Junior Perez, who also drew a two-out walk. CJ Rodriguez then blooped a shallow liner into center field for a base hit, scoring Paulino from second and putting Stockton in front 4-2. Paulion later doubled to help cap off a 2-3 game with two runs scored and his three-run home run.
Inland Empire got on the board first with two runs off of Ports starter Mitch Myers, both coming with two outs. Alexander Ramirez sent an RBI double to left field before B.J. Boyd singled to right field to make it a quick 2-0. Myers needed nearly 30 pitches to make it through the first inning, but after the first, he settled into a groove.
Myers wound up pitching five strong innings while picking up his fourth win of the season, spinning four innings of no-hit baseball after the rocky first frame. He walked two and struck out four to complete his final line, and then turned it over towards the bullpen to lock the door.
After the bullpen allowed seven runs in the seventh inning on Wednesday night, the Ports bullpen was able to get through four shutout innings while stranding seven 66ers runners. Calvin Coker pitched the sixth and seventh innings, and stranded a pair of runners in both innings, including a wacky seventh inning. A leadoff walk and stolen base with a throwing error put a runner in at third. After a strikeout, a fielder’s choice that failed to record an out put the tying run in scoring position. Coker then induced another fielder’s choice resulting in an out at home plate, and then an inning-ending groundout to keep the score at 4-2.
Serafino Brito recorded his first professional save by pitching the final two innings, getting a strikeout of Edgar Quero to end the game. Quero was the tying run after a leadoff walk in the ninth inning.
The series continues with game four on Friday night, as Grant Judkins takes the hill for the Ports, opposed by Julio Goff of the 66ers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. The first 1,000 fans through the gates at Banner Island Ballpark will receive a Folklorico bobblehead, presented by LiUNA Local 73 Union.