STOCKTON: The Ports put up five runs between the second and fifth innings and went on to a 6-3 win over the Modesto Nuts before 5,289 fans Saturday at Stockton Ballpark.
“We swung the bats well again tonight,” Stockton manager Rick Magnante said. “We played pretty good in the field too so I was very pleased overall with how we played the ball game. It worked out well and we got the ‘W’.”
Designated hitter Tyler Marincov drew a two-out walk in the second inning for the Ports (16-20) and scored when Beau Taylor (2 for 4, home run, double, three RBI) hit a home run for a 2-0 lead.
No. 9 batter Melvin Mercedes (2 for 3, double) doubled to lead off the Stockton third and moved to third when leadoff batter Brett Vertigan (2 for 4) beat out a bunt for a single. Both came in on a two-out single by Michael Soto.
“Our starting pitcher (Dillon Overton) came out and threw five good innings,” Mercedes said. “He had good stuff and was in the zone and our hitters came in and got some runs early in the game and we kept building on that.”
Taylor doubled in Marincov in the fourth inning and Mercedes singled to lead off the seventh and came in to score on a passed ball.
“The other team had good pitchers going they just happened to leave something up for me to hit,” Taylor said. “And hitting an early home run kind of takes the pressure off and lets you think that maybe you can get another one.”
“I was happy we got the win tonight because we have been needing one.”
Overton started on the mound for the Ports and went five innings, yielding one run on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts, picking up his first win against no losses and lowering his ERA to 2.08.
“Overton threw extremely well again tonight,” Magnante said. “He was changing speeds, locations and keeping hitters off balance, showing a lot of poise.
“He got one bad pitch up and gave up a solo shot, but other than that he was pretty good, and then the bullpen came in and did a good job and maintained the margin.” Taylor, Mercedes and Vertigan were a combined 6 for 11.
“Beau (Taylor) is starting to swing the bat a little bit better,” Magnante said. “His average is starting to spike up a little bit. He is driving the ball and is a little more aggressive for the fast ball. It is really nice to see his bat come alive because we need it.
“When you can get a guy like Mercedes to come in and be a catalyst and also Vertigan, those guys have been assets to the ball club as of late.”
