Ports Outlast 66ers In 13-Inning Slugfest
The game's starting pitching matchup featured Dan Straily, who's ERA was under 1, and Manuel Flores, who hadn't lost a game yet on the season. Despite the highly touted pitchers, it was offense that took over early on. Stockton jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a Dusty Coleman solo home run in the top of the 1st off Flores.
Inland Empire fired back with a run in the bottom of the first. With two down, Kole Calhoun tripled to right-center and scored on an ensuing RBI single from Jose Jimenez to tie the game at 1-1.
After the Ports grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top of the 2nd, the 66ers fired back with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Inland Empire's four-run second was highlighted by a two-run triple from Jean Segura as they took a 5-2 lead on Straily.
The Ports cut the deficit to 5-3 in the 4th when Max Stassi scored on a throwing error committed by the shortstop Segura as he tried to double up Rashun Dixon at first. The 66ers pushed the Ports' deficit back to three runs with a run in the fourth on an RBI single from Calhoun to make it 6-3.
Straily would suffer his roughest outing of the season, going four innings and allowing six runs on 10 hits while striking out four.
Flores would pitch the 5th inning for the 66ers and Stockton would knot the game at 6-6 in that frame. With two on and one out, Michael Choice drove in a pair of runs with a double to left to make it 6-5. Three batters later, Myrio Richard tied the game with an infield single to the left side that scored choice.
Flores would receive a no-decision after tossing five innings and allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits while striking out six.
The Ports took the lead in the 7th against 66ers reliever Matt Oye. Choice started the inning with an infield single and then stole second. He scored two batters later on an RBI single from Stassi to make it a 7-6 ballgame. Oye would throw two innings and allow just the one run on two hits.
Jeff Lyman and Scott Deal combined for four scoreless innings of relief from the 5th through the 8th. In the 9th, the Ports called upon reliever Jose Guzman to try for his fourth save of the season. Guzman surrendered a leadoff double to Calhoun, and after striking out Jimenez, fell victim to a fielding error made by Leonardo Gil, who was moved from first base to third at the start of the inning. With runners at the corners and one out, P.J. Phillips tied the game with a sac-fly to center.
Guzman was charged with his second blown save of the season, but allowed just the unearned run in his two innings of relief.
In extra innings, the Ports dodged a huge bullet in the bottom of the 12th. Inland Empire got a leadoff double from Phillips, and two batters later, a one-out single from Mitch Blackburn to put runners at the corners with one out. A.J. Huttenlocker (1-0), however, was able to bear down and get Justin Bass to fly to shallow right and get Segura to line out to second on a terrific diving catch made by Conner Crumbliss to send the game into the 13th.
In the top of the 13th, Stockton took full advantage of their new life. With Johnny Hellwig (1-2) on the hill, Dixon drew a one-out walk and Ryan Lipkin followed with a single to put runners at first and second. Crumbliss came up next and singled to right to score Dixon with the go-ahead run and put Stockton in front 8-7. After Anthony Aliotti walked next to load the bases, Lipkin would score on a passed ball charged to catcher Ikko Sumi to give the Ports a 9-7 cushion.
Hellwig would be charged with the loss after allowing the two runs in the top of the 13th.
Huttenlocker, after escaping the jam in the 12th, would earn the win after three innings of scoreless relief. Huttenlocker tossed a perfect 13th inning and retired the last five batters he faced to end his outing.
The Ports, assured of at least a series split, will try to take three of four from Inland Empire on Thursday night in their series finale with the 66ers at Arrowhead Credit Union Park. Robert Gilliam (2-2, 5.63 ERA) will head to the bump for Stockton, opposed by right-hander Kyle Hurst (0-0, 3.60 ERA) for Inland Empire. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PDT.