Stockton Ports Top Visalia Oaks 4-1 - Advanced A, California League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - STOCKTON , Calif . - The Stockton Ports got nine hits in Wednesday night’s game against the Visalia Oaks, but as it turned out, they really only needed just two. A pair of two-run homers in the bottom of the first inning accounted for the only runs the Ports scored the entire game, and by night’s end, those four runs stood tall as Stockton won their fifth straight, beating Visalia 4-1 at Banner Island Ballpark.

Oaks starter Eddie Romero (5-9) made only two big mistakes on the night. Both

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came in the bottom of the first, and both cost Visalia the ballgame. Chris Denorfia, who is with Stockton on a major league rehab assignment, singled off Romero to start the inning. Three batters later, with two out, Chris Carter launched his league-leading 27th home run of the season over the left-center field fence to give the Ports a 2-0 lead. Following a walk to Frank Martinez, Josh Donaldson went deep to left to make it 4-0 Stockton. Donaldson, who came over from the Chicago Cubs in last week’s Rich Harden trade, now has three homers in six games with the Ports.

Denorfia would go 3-for-4 with three singles and a run scored in his first rehab game with the Ports.

Romero would end up with the loss for Visalia, going 4.2 innings and allowing those four runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking just one.

Stockton starter Graham Godfrey (4-3) weaved his way out of trouble in the second. After back-to-back singles started the inning, Godfrey stuck out Joey Side for the first out. A single from Greg Thomson loaded the bases with one out for Visalia but Godfrey showed resiliency, striking out Steve Mena and Mann Ferrer to end the inning.

The Oaks had another prime opportunity to score in the fifth. Visalia loaded the bases with nobody out, and again Godfrey held strong. Godfrey got Pedro Ciriaco to pop to first, and then got Mark Hallberg to hit what should’ve been an inning-ending double play ball. The force out was made at second, and on the transfer, the ball was dropped by shortstop Carlos Arrieche, allowing a run to score. Godfrey would escape the inning without further damage and go on to earn the win, going five strong frames and allowing just the one run on seven hits while striking out five. Godfrey hit a batter, but did not walk a batter on the night.

Stockton ’s offense was kept quiet by the Oaks bullpen--a combination of Jorge Perez and Chase Christenson who combined for 3.1 scoreless frames. Stockton’s bullpen, however, was equal to the task. James Heuser, Jared Lansford, and Sam Demel (SV, 14) combined for four scoreless innings to shut down the Oaks. Demel pitched a scoreless ninth and earned his 14th save.

The Ports have now won five straight, and could match a season-high six game winning streak with a win on Thursday night, when they’ll welcome the Oaks back to Banner Island Ballpark. Fresh off his stellar performance in the XM Futures Game at Yankee Stadium, Henry Rodriguez (2-2, 2.84 ERA) will head to the mound for Stockton, opposed by right-hander Chad Beck (5-7, 4.45 ERA) for Visalia. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PDT.

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