Mistake-Filled Fifth Costs Ports in 3-1 Loss

FRESNO, Calif. — A wild pitch in the fifth inning led to two runs scoring for the Grizzlies Wednesday night, and those two runs ended up the difference in a 3-1 loss for the Ports in game two against Fresno.

Stockton trailed 1-0 after a lead-off triple came in via a sac fly in the second inning, but that was the only blemish on starter Corey Avant’s line going into the fifth. The Ports sent Avant back out for the fifth inning for the first time this season to continue his progression as a starter, looking to stretch him out to 75 pitches.

A base hit to right and a walk to start the inning — along with an errant throw to put runners on second and third — would end Avant’s night. Dereck Corro came in out of the pen, and the lefty struck out the first two batters he faced. The fateful wild pitch came during the next at bat. The ball didn’t go very far after being initially blocked by catcher Carlos Amaya, but the Ports backstop couldn’t find it.

The ball was resting just up the third base line right outside of the right-handed batters box, and Amaya tried to flip it back to Corro to try and get the first runner at home. But Corro rolled his ankle while trying to make the catch and apply the tag, and the ball rolled out of his glove, allowing a run to score and make 2-0 Fresno.

While Corro writhed on the ground in pain grabbing his right ankle, the ball sat in the grass just in front of home plate. Centerfielder Michael Hobson advanced from second to third, saw no Ports player had the ball while watching Corro, and raced home to score another run for a 3-0 lead. Fortunately Corro wasn’t injured badly, and was able to continue and throw three innings without allowing an earned run.

The Ports would get a run back in the sixth, when Nelson Beltran and TJ Schofield-Sam walked to put a pair of runners on. A single up the middle by Clark Elliott drove in Beltran to cut it to 3-1, but a ground out ended the threat.

UP NEXT
Game three — and the last game of the first half — is scheduled for 6:50 PM at Chukchansi Park. Fresno will start LHP Austin Emener (0-4, 4.65) and the Ports will counter with RHP Jefferson Jean (0-4, 6.55).

Single game tickets, mini plans, and group outings are all on sale for the 2024 season. For more information, call the Ports front office at 209-644-1900 or email at [email protected].