Ports Bats Silenced in Friday Night Loss

The Stockton Ports struggled at the plate against Modesto Nuts starter Tyler Cleveland and were shutout in a 5-0 defeat.

Cleveland was dominant, going seven innings and only allowing three Ports hits, while collecting six strikeouts. The Ports fell behind early when Lazaro Montes doubled to drive in Josh Hood in the first inning for a 1-0 Modesto lead. The Nuts would add another run in the third inning when Josh Hood hit an RBI single to score Brock Rodden and give Modesto a 2-0 advantage.

Ports starter Luis Morales went 3.2 innings and had good moments, with three strikeouts, but also allowed seven hits. After he was removed from the game in the top of the fourth, Modesto struck again. Brock Rodden singled off new Stockton pitcher James Gonzalez, plating Bill Knight and giving the Nuts a 3-0 lead.

In the sixth inning Rodden delivered for Modesto again, driving in Jared Sundstrom and Tatem Levins on a single to shallow right field to make the score 5-0. That would hold for the remainder of the game as Stockton only managed four baserunners in the game, all of whom never reached scoring position.

Stockton will try to get the offense going tomorrow and keep hope alive for a series split when they face Modesto in game five of the six game series. Gunnar Hogland will get the start for Stockton against Modesto right hander Darren Bowen. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm at Banner Island Ballpark.