Ports Conclude First Half with 8-4 Loss to Giants

STOCKTON, Ca. – The San Jose Giants hit three home runs and scored eight unanswered runs as the Ports dropped their third straight, falling 8-4 to their North Division rivals on Thursday night at Banner Island Ballpark.

The Ports finished the first half of the California League season 25-41.

Stockton got on the board in the second inning, taking a 1-0 lead on a pair of doubles off Giants’ starter Keaton Winn. Alexander Campos hit a one-out double off the right field wall and came home to score on a two-out double down the left field line to give the Ports the early lead.

After leaving seven runners on base through the first three innings, the Giants (40-26) finally got to Ports’ starter Luke Anderson in the top of the fourth inning. With Alexander Suarez at second base after a single and stolen base, Aeverson Arteaga lined a two-out double to left center field to even the score at 1-1.

Using the longball, the Giants took the lead with a three-run fifth inning. With one out and nobody on, Riley Mahan drove a solo home run over the batter’s eye in center field to give San Jose a 2-1 lead. With Yorlis Rodriguez on first base after an error, Giants’ catcher Rayner Santana hit a two-run shot over the wall in right field to make it 4-1.

Leading 5-1 after a Grant McCray solo home run in the top of the eighth, the Giants put the game away with a three-run ninth. San Jose loaded the bases with nobody on three walks by Stockton reliever Robin Vazquez and scored twice on a throwing error by Ports’ third baseman Alexander Campos making it 7-1. With runners on the corners Garrett Frechette singled to right field to extend the Giants’ lead to 8-1.

The Ports made some noise in the bottom of the ninth against Giants’ reliever Tyler Myrick. Jhoan Paulino and Shane McGuire led off with back-to-back singles, and the Ports loaded the bases with two outs after a flyout, fielders’ choice and a walk. Junior Perez then cleared the bases with a double down the right field line to cut the San Jose lead to 8-4, but Myrick struck out Marcos Brito on a 3-2 pitch to end the ballgame.

San Jose reliever Nick Sinacola (4-4) got the win firing five innings of shutout ball without allowing a hit. Anderson (4-4) took the loss for the Ports allowing four runs (two earned) on ten hits in five innings.

With the first half concluded, the Ports begin the second half of the California League season on Friday with game four of their six-game series against the San Jose Giants at 7:05 pm. Friday’s game will also mark the beginning of Caballos Weekend at Banner Island Ballpark with a Caballos Flag giveaway greeting the fans in attendance. Tickets are available at stocktonports.com or by calling (209) 644-1900.