Ports Edged by Grizzlies in Back-And-Forth Affair

STOCKTON, Ca. – The Fresno Grizzlies broke a 4-4 tie with an unearned run in the top of the eighth inning as the Ports dropped a 5-4 decision to the Grizzlies on Saturday night at Banner Island Ballpark.

For the fifth straight game in the series, the Grizzlies (45-29) took the lead in the top of the first inning. After Juan Brito walked with two outs, Hunter Goodman hit his fourth home run of the week, a two-run shot out to left center field to shoot Fresno in front 2-0.

With a piece of clutch hitting the Ports (26-48) tied the game in the bottom of the second. With runners on second and third and two outs, Cooper Uhl extended his hitting streak to four games with a two-run single to right field to bring the Ports even with Fresno at 2-2.

Stockton then took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. T.J. Schofield-Sam blooped a one-out single to left field and after stealing second base, scored on a double down the left field line by Alexander Campos to give the Ports their first lead at 3-2.

Using the longball again in the top of the sixth, the Grizzlies reclaimed the lead. After a one-out infield single by Zach Kokoska, Juan Guerrero hit his second home run in as many nights, a two-run shot to left field to give the Grizzlies a 4-3 lead.

Another two-out hit brought the Ports even again in the bottom of the inning. With Marcos Brito on third base after a one-out triple, Schofield-Sam singled up the middle with two out to score Brito from third base and tie the game again at 4-4.

In the top of the eighth, though, the Grizzlies capitalized on Stockton miscues to take the lead for good. With one out, Guerrero advanced to second base on a passed ball and then to third when Uhl’s throw to second base went into center field. Backing up the play, Ports’ center fielder Junior Perez tried to throw Guerrero out advancing to third base, but the throw sailed over third baseman Jhoan Paulino’s head and into the Grizzly dugout allowing Guerrero to score the go-ahead run and put Fresno in front 5-4.

The Ports were able to put runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning but failed to score as Paulino popped out to end the threat. Stockton was retired 1-2-3 in the ninth by Juan Mejia.

Sergio Sanchez (7-1) got the win in relief for Fresno, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of starter Victor Juarez. Serafino Brito (0-1) took the loss in his Ports debut surrendering just an unearned run on two hits in two innings while striking out two.

The Ports conclude the series with Fresno and the 12-game homestand on Sunday at 6:05 with a fireworks show following the ballgame. Tickets are available at stocktonports.com or by calling (209) 644-1900.