Ports Can't Dig Out of Early Hole in Loss to 66ers
STOCKTON, Ca. – The Ports fell into an early hole and were held at bay by Inland Empire starter Jack Kochanowicz in a 10-1 loss to the 66ers in the series opener on Tuesday night at Banner Island Ballpark. The 66ers (40-42) got on the board in the top of
STOCKTON, Ca. – The Ports fell into an early hole and were held at bay by Inland Empire starter Jack Kochanowicz in a 10-1 loss to the 66ers in the series opener on Tuesday night at Banner Island Ballpark.
The 66ers (40-42) got on the board in the top of the first inning against Ports’ starter Dheygler Gimenez without the benefit of a base hit. With one out, a hit by pitch and error put runners on the corners for Alexander Ramirez who lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to put Inland Empire on top 1-0.
Benefitting from another misplay, the 66ers extended their lead in the top of the third. Three straight singles loaded the bases with one out, and David Calabrese followed with a soft ground ball to Stockton second baseman Wilson Alvarez who made an errant throw to second base allowing two runs to score, the first on the fielders’ choice and second on the error, making it 3-0 Inland Empire.
The 66ers blew the game open in the fourth. After a two-out walk and an infield single, Edgar Quero greeted Ports’ reliever Clark Cota with a three-run homer over the Jackson Rancheria Back Porch in right field to double the 66er lead to 6-0.
After Inland Empire picked up two more runs in the top of the seventh, the Ports (30-52) got on the board in the bottom of the inning. With Junior Perez on third base and two outs, CJ Rodriguez lined a single to right field to make it 8-1.
The 66ers tallied two more runs in the eighth, and Inland Empire relievers retired the final six Ports in order to finish the ballgame.
Kochanowicz (1-3) got the win for Inland Empire, allowing just two hits in six shutout innings while striking out nine. Gimenez (0-2) took the loss for the Ports surrendering five runs on three hits while striking out a career-high seven in 3.2 innings.
The Ports will look to even the series against Inland Empire on Wednesday night with first pitch at 7:05 pm at Banner Island Ballpark. Tickets are available at stocktonports.com or by calling (209) 644-1900.