Stockton OF Lawrence Butler hit a two-run home in the third inning then launched a grand slam in the eighth to drive in all of Stockton’s runs in a 6-2 win over San Jose Wednesday night. The Ports ended a nine-game losing streak as three pitchers held the Giants to just seven hits.
Butler went 2-for-4 with 6 RBIs, belting his 11th and 12 homers of the season. He’s gone 6-for-12 in his last three games.
RHP Diego Granado went the first three innings for Stockton and didn’t allow a run while giving up two hits and and two walks with one strikeout. Righty Jorge Juan (W, 1-1) followed with four solid innings, allowing a run on three hits and a walk with five Ks. RHP Garrett Acton finished it off for the Ports with two IP and one run allowed on two hits, no walks and one strikeout.
San Jose’s Carter Williams went 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot and RF Jairo Pomares was 2-for-4 with a double. RHP Ryan Murphy (L, 3-2) took a tough-luck loss with 7 IP, 2ER, 2H, 0BB and 12 Ks.
The Giants (44-24) lost a game in the standings to Fresno and sit three games back in the North division, still locked into the second and final playoff spot.
SCOREBOARD
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – 9
VISALIA – 3
Box
DH Jorbit Vivas hit a grand slam, 3B Sauryn Lao went 3-for-5 with a double.
MODESTO – 3
FRESNO – 6
Box
CF Joe Aeilts 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs, RF Trevor Boone 2-for-4 with a triple, SS Ezequiel Tovar with his 10th HR.
LAKE ELSINORE – 6
INLAND EMPIRE – 7
Box
CF Elijah Green 2-for-3 with his 1st HR of the season, 2B Julio De La Cruz 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs. RHP Dakota Donovan (W, 3-2) with two shutout innings in relief.
