Seven-Run Seventh Lifts 66ers over Ports

July 14, 2022 – California League (CalL) – Stockton Ports News Release

STOCKTON, Ca. – The Inland Empire 66ers scored eight runs over the sixth and seventh innings, including seven in the seventh, as the Ports lost a 3-0 lead in an 8-5 loss on Wednesday night at Banner Island Ballpark.

The Ports (30-53) built their 3-0 advantage with single runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings. With Danny Bautista on first base and two outs in the first, Jhoan Paulino doubled off the wall down the left field line to score Bautista giving the Ports a 1-0 lead.

Junior Perez doubled to lead off the fourth inning and reached third base on a balk with one out. With the infield drawn in, Wilson Alvarez singled through the drawn in infield to double the Ports’ lead to 2-0.

A leadoff double by Max Muncy began the fifth and the Ports put runners on the corners with one out after a single by Shane McGuire. Paulino then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Ports a 3-0 advantage.

The 66ers (41-42) began their comeback in the top of the sixth inning when Alexander Ramirez hit a leadoff solo shot to right center to trim the Stockton lead to 3-1.

In the top of the seventh, Inland Empire took the lead for good. With Stockton reliever Robin Vazquez on the mound, the 66ers loaded the bases with nobody out on a single, walk and a hit by pitch. After David Calabrese grounded into a fielders’ choice to cut a runner down at home, BJ Boyd hit a high chopper near the bag at second that caromed off the glove of Muncy at shortstop and into right center field to score two runs, tying the game at three. Myles Emmerson then singled to right field to put the 66ers on top 4-3, and after a strikeout and a walk loaded the bases with two outs, Adrian Placencia drilled a grand slam to right center field to make it 8-3 Inland Empire.

The Ports got one in the eighth on an RBI single by Cooper Uhl to make it 8-4 and brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth after T.J. Schofield-Sam singled to left center to score a run from third to make it 8-5 and put runners on first and second. But Wilson Alvarez grounded out to third base against 66er reliever Dayan Reinoso to end the game.

The Inland Empire comeback saddled Ports’ starter Kyle Virbitsky, who dazzled over five shutout innings while striking out eight, with a no decision.

Inland Empire starter Connor Van Scoyoc (6-4) got the win allowing three runs on seven hits in 6.0 innings, while Vazquez (0-3) took the loss surrendering seven…