STOCKTON, Calif. – Three home runs powered the Ports to a 5-3 victory over Lake Elsinore and propelled them back into a three-way tie for first in the second-half standings.
After scoring just one run over the first 18 innings of the series with the Storm (13-20, 52-47), Stockton broke through in the fourth on a 362-foot blast from Bobby Blandford (15) to go up 1-0.
Jackson Nove again came through in a spot start for the Ports (19-14, 46-53) by delivering four shutout innings after Shotaro Morii was scratched from his scheduled start. Nove allowed just four hits – one in each inning – and did not walk a batter while striking out four.
Itsuki Takemoto entered the game in the fifth, and his first pitch of the night was hammered into right center for a triple (3) for Yimy Tovar. A sac fly from Qrey Lott followed to tie the game at 1-1, but Takemoto would settle in from there. He allowed just the one run in three innings to collect the win and continue his solid stretch since returning from the Arizona Complex League.
The Ports would take the lead for good on Max Durrington’s third home run of the season, which was a three-run shot 344 feet to right to put Stockton in Front 4-1. Their third long ball of the night came from uber prospect Edgar Montero, who parked another opposite field home run (7) 414 feet into the BBQ Bullpen to go up 5-1.
Jackson Holmes pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and recorded the first two outs of the ninth without any trouble. But a double (14) into right center from the Padres shortstop prospect Jorge Quintana put a runner in scoring position with two away. The was followed by a 3-2 pitch left up in the zone by Homes that was hammered 385 feet to deep left (3) from catching prospect Truitt Madonna to cut it to 5-3. But Holmes made quick work of George Bilecki with a strikeout on an 0-2 count to close out the ballgame.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: The Ports lead the season series with the Cal League South’s first half champs 9-6. Stockton is now 32-20 when they hit a home run. Gavin Turley had his first three-hit game of the season with three singles into center. Blandford’s 15th home run has him tied for fourth in the league. Durrington walked twice to go along with his three-home run to reach three times.
UP NEXT: Game four is set for a 7:05 PM first pitch with first round pick LHP Kruz Schoolcraft (2-5, 5.77) starting for the Storm versus a resurgent RHP Donny Troconis (0-4, 6.46) starting for Stockton.
It will be Health and Wellness Night at the ballpark featuring booth entertainment focused on fitness, nutrition, and overall well-being, plus interactive experiences and tips to help you stay healthy on and off the field.
The Ports will celebrate the power of mentorship at Mentor Night with pregame festivities, special highlights, honoree recognitions, and fan activations designed to raise awareness for the importance of mentoring in our community presented by Mentor California.
Stockton will also be doing a backpack giveaway. The first 1,000 fans will score a useful piece of Ports gear presented by the San Joaquin County Department of Child Support Services.
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.