SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Ports’ strong second-half run came to an end in game two of the Northern Division Series of the Cal League Playoffs, as San Jose took the series with a 3-1 defeat of Stockton to advance to the California League Championship Series.
The Giants scored two in the first on a Drew Smith double to right field just inside the first base line for an early 2-0 lead after Donny Troconis retired two straight and looked like he might get out of the early jam. Stockton would go to Jackson Phipps after the first inning due to the cut on Troconis’ index finger that forced him from his last start in Visalia opening up again. Phipps kept San Jose at bay for the next four innings allowing no runs on four hits with five strikeouts and one walk to keep the Ports afloat.
Stockton cut the lead in half in the top of the fifth, after a fly ball to center off the bat of catcher Alex Sosa was lost in the late-evening sky by center fielder Andy Polanco and dropped for a double to give the Ports their first hit of the game. Roman Martin doubled into right to make it 2-1, but Stockton couldn’t score again after that. Martin was picked off at second, and after a single for Bryan Andrade and a double for Max Durrington, left fielder Oliver Tejada made a diving grab to rob Michael Brooks of a run-scoring hit and end the inning.
The last missed opportunity came in the top of the eighth for Stockton, after Michael Brooks’ sacrifice bunt moved Max Durrington into scoring position, but couldn’t get further than that when Drew Burress ripped a line out to left before Bobby Blandford struck out swinging.
The Giants immediately made Stockton pay for not cashing in, with a Smith solo home run to make it 3-1, as the 15th rounder out of Oregon accounted for all the Giants RBIs in just his fifth game with the club. Stockton got the tying run to the plate in the ninth after a Martin walk, but closer Samir Chires got Edgar Montero looking to end the game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Stockton is now 7-6 all time in playoff series against the Cal League’s San Jose Franchise. The Ports were 37-23 this season when they score first and 22-48 when their opponent does, and were 38-9 when they outhit their opponent and 15-55 when they got out hit. Stockton finished 34-13 when they don’t commit an error, 20-22 when they make just one, and 6-34 when they made two or more errors.
The Ports will look to build off their second-half success when they open up the 2027 season in San Jose on April 2 and begin the home slate on April 6 at Banner Island Ballpark against Fresno.
Season tickets and mini plans are on sale now for the 2027 season. For more information, call the Ports front office at 209-644–1900 or email at info@stocktonports.com.