High-A Stockton plays deciding Game 5 for trip to league finals

The High-A Stockton Ports split the first four games of their California League Divisional Series, leaving it up to a final Game 5 to see who goes on to the League Championship Series. Here’s a closer look.

Stockton Ports vs. Visalia Rawhide (D’Backs)

League: High-A California League

Best-of-5 Division Series

Series tied 2-2

Game 1: Rawhide 5, Ports 3 (recap)
Game 2: Ports 8. Rawhide 7 (recap)
Game 3: Rawhide 9, Ports 4 (box score)
Game 4: Ports 11, Rawhide 2 (box score)
Game 5: Sun. 9/9, 6:10 p.m., at Stockton

In Game 3 on Friday, Stockton fell behind early but battled back to tie it 4-4 in the 6th inning. Sandber Pimentel highlighted the offense with a two-run homer. However, Visalia immediately retook the lead off of Ports starter Kyle Friedrichs, who ended up allowing eight runs overall. Stockton’s lineup couldn’t muster a second comeback, and the Rawhide were back on top in the series.

Sandber Pimentel, DH: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Trace Loehr, 2B: 2-for-3, run
Edwin Diaz, 3B: 1-for-3, sac fly, RBI, run

Kyle Friedrichs, RHP: 5⅓ ip, 8 ER, 4 Ks, 2 BB, 1 HR, 9 hits

In Game 4, the Ports bounced back. They scored early, they scored often, and then they put up a six-spot in the 9th inning to turn it into a rout. Pimentel once again led the charge, driving in the game’s first run and later adding a homer in the final rally. Meanwhile, Grant Holmes was brilliant in what was essentially a rehab start, keeping Visalia hitless for four shutout innings. Zack Erwin took care of the final five frames.

Sandber Pimentel, DH: 2-for-5, HR, 4 RBI, 2 runs
Viosergy Rosa, 1B: 2-for-4, 2 2B, BB, 2 runs
Brett Siddall, RF: 2-for-3, 2 BB, RBI, 2 runs
Kevin Merrell, SS: 2-for-4, BB, SB, run
Edwin Diaz, 3B: 1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, run
Luke Persico, LF: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI, 2 runs

Grant Holmes, RHP: 4 ip, 0 runs, 5 Ks, 1 BB, 0 hits
Zack Erwin, LHP: 5 ip, 2 ER, 6 Ks, 3 BB, 3 hits

Game 5 has already begun, and Visalia took an early lead against Ports starter Matt Milburn.

Link to Sunday box score