Ports Open Series With 3-2 Win In 10

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Ports continue to rack up timely hits and Friday night's game versus the San Jose Giants was no exception. Stockton held a 1-0 lead until the ninth inning when the Giants tied the game on a solo home run, then proceeded to overcome a one-run deficit in the bottom of the 10^th, getting a pair of RBI singles including the game-winner from Nate Mondou as the Ports earned a 3-2 win over the Giants to kick off a pivotal three-game series.
Stockton scored the first and, for a time, the only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Giants starter Logan Webb worked three scoreless innings, DJ Myers came on to pitch the fourth and gave up a leadoff double to Jonah Heim. Three batters later, with Heim at third base and two outs, Luke Persico lined an RBI single to center field that gave the Ports a 1-0 lead. Myers was lifted with an injury after the Persico hit and Jeff Burke took over, going two-and-a-third scoreless innings in emergency relief while allowing just one hit.
Ports starter Logan Shore pitched out of a jam in the fourth with runners at the corners and one out, getting a strikeout and a pick-off of Gio Brusa at third base. Shore gave up back-to-back singles in the sixth but got Brusa to hit into a 3-6-3 double-play on his way to escaping the inning unscathed. For the first time on the season, Shore worked into the seventh inning and gave up back-to-back singles to start the frame before striking out Brandon Van Horn. At that point, Shore was lifted for Boomer Biegalski, who recorded back-to-back strikeouts to close out the inning.
Shore would be rendered a no-decision going a season-high 6.1 scoreless innings and allowing eight hits while striking out seven.
Biegalski would work into the eighth but be lifted due to an injury while facing the first batter of the inning. Angel Duno was summoned from the bullpen and struck out three consecutive hitters to close out the frame.
Duno worked into the ninth and, with the Ports leading 1-0, surrendered a leadoff home run to left to Sandro Fabian that tied the game at 1-1. Duno finished the ninth inning and was charged with his second blown save of the season.
Sam Sheehan (2-2) came on to pitch the 10^th with Johneshwy Fargas starting as the runner at second base per the new Minor League Baseball extra-inning rules. Jalen Miller hit Sheehan's first pitch of the inning into center field to score Fargas and give the Giants a 2-1 lead. Wander Franco came up next and walked, but ball four went to the backstop. Miller tried to advance to third base and was thrown out by Heim at third for the first out. After Jacob Heyward struck out, Franco was caught stealing to end the 10^th.
Rodolfo Martinez (3-3) came on to pitch the bottom of the 10^th and saw Kevin Merrell lay down a sacrifice bunt on a two-strike pitch to advance the free runner to third base. Brallan Perez followed with an RBI single to center to tie the game at 2-2. Melvin Mercedes came up next and flew out to deep center field. Perez, who was around the second base bag in case Mercedes' fly ball dropped in for a hit, hustled back to first to not be doubled off. Fargas' throw in from center went wide of first, allowing Perez to get back to his feet and take second base on a throwing error. With Perez in scoring position, Mondou delivered the game-winning single to left to give the Ports a 3-2 walk-off victory. For the Giants, it marked just their second loss in seven extra-inning games.
Martinez suffered the loss for San Jose despite both runs he allowed being unearned. Sheehan picked up the victory for Stockton. With the win, the Ports now hold a three-game lead on the Giants for first place in the North Division.
The Ports and Giants play the middle game of their three-game series on Saturday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Parker Dunshee (2-1, 2.70 ERA) makes the start for Stockton, opposed by San Jose left-hander Sandro Cabrera (5-0, 4.05 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PDT.