The Stockton Ports won their fifth straight game and pulled to within one game of Modesto in the standings with a 5-0 win over the Nuts Thursday night in Stockton. Luke Anderson (W, 1-2) started and went 5 2/3 innings without allowing a run despite issuing seven walks. Kevin Richards was 2-for-4 with an RBI triple to knock in the first run of the game in the third inning.
The Ports improved to 14-22 on the year and are now nine games out of first place in the North division, trailing Modesto (15-21) by a game for third place.
Three Stockton pitchers covered 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and combined to strike out six without any walks. Anderson struck out eight with two hits allowed.
Brett Rodriguez had two hits for Modesto. Ben Ramirez was 1-for-3 with two walks. Jorge Benitez pitched the final two innings for the Nuts and allowed no runs, hits or walks while striking out four.
Modesto had its best chance in the sixth inning when they chased Anderson after two walks and a Robert Perez single to load the bases with two outs. But Aaron Cohn came on to get the third out with no damage.
Stockton has won the first three games of the six-game series. Game four is Friday at 7:05PM.
SCOREBOARD
LAKE ELSINORE – 10
VISALIA 8
Gameday
RANCHO CUCAMONGA -4
FRESNO – 8
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Story
SAN JOSE – 9
INLAND EMPIRE – 3
Gameday
