by Ethan Kassel / A’s Farm Stockton Correspondent
Reigning California League Pitcher of the Week Brian Howard added to his already-impressive résumé on Wednesday, allowing just one run over seven innings as the first-place Stockton Ports rolled to an 11-1 win over the host San Jose Giants.
Howard had all the offense he needed before he even took the mound, as the Ports put up six runs in the first inning to chase San Jose starter Conner Menez. Menez is actually the reigning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week. He turned in an impressive performance for Triple-A Sacramento after being called up to make a spot start for the River Cats last week, but his return to San Jose on Wednesday was far less successful.
Ports designated hitter Brallan Perez led off the game with a double down the right field line and later scored on left fielder Dairon Blanco’s bases-loaded walk. First baseman Luke Persico hit another ball down the right field line with two outs in the inning and, once again, the Ports benefited from San Jose right fielder Sandro Fabian’s poor positioning. Not only did Persico’s ball drop in, but it scored all three runners as Fabian overran it. Five of Stockton’s six runs in the first inning scored with two outs.
San Jose did scratch out one run against Howard in the bottom of the first, and it was the only time Howard struggled with his command all night. The TCU product surrendered a double to second baseman Jalen Miller, then issued a two-out walk to first baseman Gio Brusa, which was one of only two walks he’d issue on the night. It was followed by an RBI single by Fabian to plate San Jose’s first and only run.
The Giants put just two more men in scoring position against Howard all night. After third baseman Wander Franco struck out to end the first, the only threats the hosts would have against Howard came in the form of Brusa’s two-out triple in the sixth and back-to-back singles by Franco and left fielder Jacob Heyward, the younger brother of Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward, to open the seventh.
Howard finished with a flourish, getting catcher Tanner Murphy to ground into a double play and then striking out designated hitter Frandy De La Rosa to finish the seventh inning with his seventh strikeout of the night.
Howard showed excellent fastball command and, if he can continue to improve the command of his curveball, then the 23-year-old will have some serious major league potential. At minimum, his 6-foot-9 frame and fastball-curveball mix could always make him an intriguing relief option.
In the homer-happy California League, even a six-run first inning might not always be enough, although this year, the Ports seem to have the proper pitching to protect a lead. Nevertheless, Stockton’s lineup just kept adding on. One night after hitting three home runs in the franchise’s 5,000th win, the Ports failed to clear the fences but still struck for 11 runs on 15 hits.
Blanco brought in a run with a force out in the fourth, while center fielder Skye Bolt’s sacrifice fly made it 8-1 in the fifth, and the team added two more in the sixth on Mondou’s RBI double and right fielder Luis Barrera‘s RBI single. Stockton’s final run came in the seventh on a Bolt triple followed by an RBI groundout by catcher Jonah Heim.
Blanco was the only member of the Ports lineup not to record a hit, but his bases-loaded walk scored the first run of the night. Persico and Heim each had three hits, and while Bolt notched one hit in three at-bats, he also had a pair of walks and a sacrifice fly. Shortstop Kevin Merrell went just 1 for 6 at the plate but made a sterling play in the hole against shortstop C.J. Hinojosa to end the third inning.
Third baseman William Toffey was similarly impressive on defense, making a pair of long throws across the diamond. Stockton’s infield was active all night, with Howard inducing ten groundouts and just one flyout. Righty Brendan Butler and lefty Andrew Tomasovich each tossed one scoreless inning in relief to close out the victory, and Howard earned his team-leading sixth win.
With Wednesday’s victory, Stockton now leads San Jose by seven games and maintains a six-game advantage over Visalia. The team will try to sweep the three-game series in Thursday’s matinee. Matt Milburn (2-2, 4.91 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Stockton, while San Jose has announced Raffi Vizcaino (3-3, 4.37) as Thursday’s starter.
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