STOCKTON, Calif. – The Ports offense ran aground on Thursday night at Banner Island Ballpark, as Ontario defeated Stockton 8-2 to give the Tower Buzzers a 2-1 lead in the six-game set. Fresno also fell in a blowout loss, so the Ports remain tied with the Grizzlies for the Cal League North second half playoff spot.
Caleb Johnson again helped Ontario (34-23, 67-56) get out to an early lead, this time with an RBI single to right to make it 1-0 Tower Buzzers in the first. A two-RBI single for Aidan West into center increased the Ontario lead to 3-0 in the third against Stockton starter Colin Fitzgerald.
Things would really fall apart on the Ports (30-27, 57-66) in the top of the sixth when reliever Yohandri Conteras walked the bases loaded and then walked in a run with two away to make it 4-0 Ontario. Wilfred Alvarado entered the and gave up a bases-clearing double into left center that Drew Burress couldn’t quite squeeze after a long run into the gap to make it 7-0 Ontario.
Stockton finally got on the board to break up the shutout in the bottom of the eighth. Roman Martin doubled (6) to right to start the frame and Bryan Andrade hit his own two bagger (17) into left center with one out to make it 7-1. Andrade would later score on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 7-2.
The Tower Buzzers would get a run back in the top of the ninth to go up 8-2, while the Ports would strand their ninth runner of the game in the bottom of the inning for the 8-2 loss. The Ports went 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position on the night, and issued 10 walks while Ontario only walked two.
UP NEXT: Game four is scheduled for a 7:05 PM first pitch with RHP Joel Cruz (1-0, 2.95) starting for Ontario versus RHP Donny Troconis (1-6, 6.55) for Stockton.
Single game tickets, mini plans, and group outings are all on sale for the 2026 season. For more information, call the Ports front office at 209-644-1400 or email at info@stocktonports.com.