Offense Drops Anchor in the First Inning of 7-1 Loss
STOCKTON, Calif. — The Ports offense got stuck in first gear on Wednesday night, dropping game two of the six-game series against Modesto 7-1, to bring the series to a 1-1 tie. The Nuts attacked Ports starter Jefferson Jean with back-to-back home runs to start the game for a 2-0
STOCKTON, Calif. — The Ports offense got stuck in first gear on Wednesday night, dropping game two of the six-game series against Modesto 7-1, to bring the series to a 1-1 tie.
The Nuts attacked Ports starter Jefferson Jean with back-to-back home runs to start the game for a 2-0 lead before an out was recorded. A fielder’s choice on a blooper that dropped in center brought a third run in for a 3-0 Modesto lead going into the bottom of the first.
Stockton looked like they were going to immediately answer back, as they had four hits in the bottom of the first. Ryan Lasko led off the inning with a base hit to left center, but was caught stealing second. The next batter, Nelson Beltran, struck out, so the Ports had to start up a two-out rally.
T.J. Schofield-Sam singled through the middle, Nate Nankil singled between short and third, and Myles Naylor drove home Schofield-Sam with a base hit to left to cut the deficit to 3-1, before a fly out ended the inning.
Modesto executed a delayed double steal in the third inning on a first and third situation to make it a 4-1 Nuts lead. The Ports best opportunity to trim the deficit again came in the bottom of the fourth. A one-out double by Carlos Amaya into right center was followed by walks for Clark Elliot and Dereck Salom to load the bases. Unfortunately though Elvis Rijo popped out to second and Lasko flew out to left to end the inning, leaving the bases loaded.
The first half and defending champion Nuts would methodically add to their lead one run at a time, adding tallies in the sixth, seventh, and ninth inning, while keeping the Ports from stringing any hits together. Stockton put two runners on in the seventh and loaded the bases in the ninth, but weren’t able to push another run across.
UP NEXT
Game three of the series will be another 7:05 PM first pitch, with RHP Brody Hopkins (2-3, 3.41) going up against RHP Alejandro Manzano (3-1, 4.73).
It will be a Thirsty Thursday at Banner Island Ballpark, with $1 cans of Busch Light, $2 popcorn, $3 hot dogs, and an $8 field box seats. 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].