FRESNO, Calif. – A pitchers’ duel finally broke out in the critical six-game series with Fresno, and the Grizzlies would hang on to hand the Ports a 2-1 loss. Stockton trails 3-2 in the series and are clinging to a one-game lead in the Cal League North second half standings over the Grizzlies for the second-half playoff spot with one game left to play in Fresno. The win did guarantee a season series win for Fresno as they lead the head-to-head matchup 13-10 in 2026.
In a battle of lefty starters, Cal League strikeout leader Brady Parker delivered 5.2 scoreless innings. But Ports lefty Jackson Phipps matched him throughout, delivering five shutout innings of his own, despite issuing six walks as he only allowed one hit.
The Ports threatened in the top of the sixth against Parker, who hit the first two batters of the frame and then issued a two-out walk to Alex Sosa. Reliever Redinson Gomez entered and gave up a hard-hit line out off the bat of Alex Hernandez, but third baseman Carlos Rezullo made a diving stop to his right to make the catch and end the threat.
Itsuki Takemoto entered to start the sixth for Stockton, and gave up an opposite field home run to 37th overall pick in this year’s draft, Daniel Jackson, to break the scoreless tie and put Fresno up 1-0. After a scoreless seventh from Takemoto, Wilfred Alvarado allowed a single and a two-out, two-strike double to give the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead, which would prove to be the difference in the game.
Hernandez started the ninth with a base hit to left and Edgar Montero laced a double into left center to score Hernandez and cut it to a 2-1 deficit. With two outs, Roman Martin drove a line drive to the wall in left, but defensive sub, Cort MacDonald ran it down to end the ballgame.
UP NEXT: The series finale is set for a 5:05 PM first pitch with the loser of game one of the series in LHP Bryson Van Sickle (5-1, 4.55) starting for Fresno versus RHP Josiah Romeo (8-4, 6.21) who is coming off last Sunday’s gem of seven scoreless frames against Visalia.
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.