Monday Baseball Bulletin

Ports Take Two Down in Fresno

The Ports took two of six down in Fresno this past week, including their first win of the season against the 2022 California League Northern division winners as they come back to Banner Island Ballpark Tuesday, April 18th against the Visalia Rawhide.

PREVIOUS GAMES AGAINST FRESNO

Tuesday, April 11 - The Ports jumped out to a 5-0 lead against the Grizzlies' Caleb Franzen and Sergio Garcia thanks in part to two 2-RBI hits from Jose Mujica and Clark Elliott as the Ports played spoiler to the Grizzlies home opener at Chukchansi Park, notching their first win of the 2023 season.
Wednesday, April 12 - The Ports fell in an early 7-1 hole and couldn't claw their way back in a 14-2 loss to the Fresno Grizzlies in front of 1,930 fans at Chukchansi Park.
Thursday, April 13 - Jake Garland threw a five no-hit innings in his first start of the season while striking out seven as the Ports salvaged a win after letting the Grizzlies tie the game at 4-4. Jose Escorche would play hero singling up the middle to re-take the lead in the ninth. Pedro Santos would strike out Kody Huff to secure the second win of the series, 5-4, with the game-tying run at third and the winning run at second.
Friday, April 14 - The Grizzlies two home runs were too much for Yehizon Sanchez and the Ports as Fresno had a three-run and two-run home run to cruise past Stockton 6-3 to even the series at two a piece.
Saturday, April 15 - Bats were quiet Saturday night as the Ports mustered just four hits against the Grizzlies pitching staff in a 5-0 shutout in Game 5.
Sunday, April 16 - Errors played costly for the Ports in the Sunday rubber match with Stockton compiling five errors and three wild pitches, including one that ended the game in walk-off, heartbreak fashion and the Ports dropping the back and forth affair 12-11.

TOP PERFORMERS

Colby Thomas stayed hot to begin the 2023 campaign racking up 9 hits (9-27) while driving in four in Fresno, including three doubles and two stolen bases. Thomas has now hit safely in every game to start the season.
Clark Elliott continues to rake in 2023 as the former 2022 Competitive Balance round B pick tabbed the teams first triple Tuesday night with a two RBI knock that provided big insurance for the Ports first win of the season. Clark leads the team in runs (6) and second on the team with six runs batted in.
Jake Garland - The former Miami Hurricane had his best performance of his professional career thus far throwing five no-hit scoreless innings on Thursday night while striking out seven on just 69 pitches.

Former Ports Gus Varland and Hogan Harris Make MLB Debuts

Former Port Gus Varland made his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Brewers on March 30th against the Chicago Cubs where he threw an inning in relief with a strikeout. Varland is the first former Port to make his Major League debut in 2023.

Hogan Harris made his MLB Debut last Friday, April 14 against the New York Mets where he came in in relief to throw a third of an inning. Hogan is the 34th Port to debut since 2019.

Series Preview

The Ports travel back home to Banner Island Ballpark for a six-game set with the Visalia Rawhide (Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate) starting on Tuesday, April 18th through Sunday, April 23rd. The homestand will include fireworks, a hat giveaway, Asparagus Night, Splash 4 Cash, and so much more!

At Bat this Week

vs. Visalia Rawhide

Banner // Modesto, Calif.

Tuesday, April 18 // 11:00 a.m. PT
Wednesday, April 19 // 7:05 p.m. PT
Thursday, April 20 // 7:05 p.m. PT
Friday, April 21 // 7:05 p.m. PT
Saturday, April 22 // 7:05 p.m. PT
Sunday, April 23 // 2:09 p.m. PT

Radio Stream: https://www.iheart.com/live/fox-sports-am-1280-5236/

Twitter: @stocktonports

On Deck

@ Modesto Nuts

John Thurman Field

Tuesday, April 25 - Sunday, April 30 // Times vary

Following their six-game series against the Rawhide, the Ports hit the road to Modesto for a six-game road trip against the Nuts. Stockton is 0-3 against Modesto after getting swept by the Nuts Opening Weekend at Banner Island Ballpark.

Against Visalia Rawhide

This will be the first matchup of the season between the Ports and the Rawhide. The Ports have the slight edge in recent meetings between the two teams winning 13 of the last 24 games played against one another, including one of the most impressive comebacks in Ports history where the Ports came back from a 9-0 deficit heading into the bottom of the eighth-inning and eventually won 12-11 on a walk-off single in July of 2021.

Jake Garland Named California League Pitcher of the Week

1-2-3

Colby Thomas, Clark Elliott, and Brayan Buelvas have provided stability in the top of the order for the Ports as the 2022 draft picks and Buelvas are off to hot starts. Thomas (.333) and Buelvas (.324) lead the team in average with Elliott (.294) behind them at third. Thomas has hit safely in all nine games this season and leads the team in RBI (8) and Elliott with six of his own.

About the Rawhide

The Rawhide are 3-6 to start the 2023 campaign, coming off a series split against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Brett Johnson leads the Cal-League with 12 walks in his first seven games, racking up a .517 on-base percentage early on.
Visalia (3-6) currently sits tied for third in the California League Southern Division with Inland Empire(3-6).
Eli Saul (1.80) leads the Rawhide in earned-run average in his first three games out of the bullpen allowing just one earned-run in five innings of relief.

Jake Garland Named California League Pitcher of the Week

Ports starting pitcher Jake Garland was named the Single-A Pitcher of the Week after his brilliant performance on Thursday, April 13 where he tossed five scoreless no-hit innings while striking out seven, a career high for the former 17th round draft pick in the Ports 5-4 win. Garland is the first pitcher to win the award since Kyle Virbitsky did it in June of 2022.

Former Port Fred Michalski Passes Away

The Stockton Ports are saddened to hear about the passing of former Ports player, Frederick William Michalski. Fred Michalski, died in Largo, Florida on May 5th, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; son, Matt; daughter, Susan; daughter-in-law, Katie; brother-in-law, Brendon; grandchildren, Padraig, and Piper; brothers, Phil, Ron, Les; and sister, Lee.

Fred was a Chicago native and All-American shortstop at Western Michigan University. He went on to play five years of professional baseball while playing for the Stockton Ports in 1967.. After his playing career, Fred received a master's degree from Xavier University and taught and coached baseball and basketball in the Columbus public schools for 30+ years at South High School, and Brookhaven High School.

Stockton Ports Alumni Night Saturday, May 20th

Mark your calendar as the Stockton Ports annual Alumni Night is back once again in 2023! Alumni Night is scheduled for Saturday, May 20th, 2023, at Banner Island Ballpark where the Ports will take on the San Jose Giants. Alumni will be available to sign autographs and take pictures all throughout the night - bring your gear!