VISALIA, Calif. – The Ports (35-31, 62-70) took care of business in the series finale against Visalia, winning 8-3 in Sunday’s regular season finale. Stockton clinched their playoff berth when Fresno’s game went final in a loss to San Jose, but the Ports had control of their own game regardless to close the season on a four-game winning streak.
The Rawhide (26-40, 54-78) struck first in the bottom of the opening frame on a Nathan Hall three-run home run to right field for an early 3-0 lead. Josiah Romeo gave up two singles, then struck out the next two batters before the two-out homer to right for Hall.
Stockton responded with a rally in the top of the second, a bases-loaded walk for Roman Martin scored the first Ports run of the day. Then Michael Brooks singled to left, scoring two more and tying the game 3-3. With the bases loaded once again, Bobby Blandford was hit by a pitch to put the Ports in front 4-3. Stockton would hold the lead for the rest of the series finale.
The Ports scored three more in the top of the third inning, with a Max Durrington RBI-single into center field, then a Michael Brooks triple (3) scored a pair to make it 7-3. Alex Sosa blasted a solo home run (3) to dead center field for the last run of the ball game, an 8-3 score in the fourth.
It was shutdown pitching from there for Stockton, Romeo bounced back after surrendering the home run in the first, finishing with six innings pitched allowing just those three runs on six hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Romeo also picked up the win, his ninth of the season and all came since May 31, as Romeo compiled a 9-2 record for the Ports after a short stint in the Arizona Complex League.
Cole Miller gave the Ports two shutdown innings in relief, facing the minimum and striking out three. Jackson Holmes shut the door in the ninth, putting the Rawhide down in order with a strikeout to seal the deal in Sunday's game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: The Ports finished the season on a four-game winning streak to overtake Fresno for the second-half playoff spot in the California League North second-half standings. The playoff berth is the first for the Ports since 2018.
UP NEXT: Stockton hosts one playoff game on Tuesday against San Jose in game one of the California League playoffs at Banner Island Ballpark at 7:05 PM Tues. Gates will open at 6 PM.