Gulls Trail by Too Many Too Early : Stockton Jumps to a 9-0 Lead in the Fifth and Coasts, 12-2

In their first trip here, the Ventura County Gulls swept the Ports. In their second visit, the Gulls got swept.

If this all-or-nothing trend continues, at least for the next two games, the Gulls will be in trouble. On Friday night, the Ports (18-7) took the first game of the three-game series at Billy Herbert Field, 12-2.

For the Gulls (9-15), their fourth straight loss was only a night of frustration. Their five errors were not the way they wanted to play their first contest after the California League all-star game.

Stockton leadoff hitter Rob Dewolf might as well have been the Big Bad Wolf. He started three scoring rallies and had two triples--the second time in a week he has hit two triples in the same game against the Gulls. He leads the league with 12 triples.

His first started the Ports’ four-run fourth, all the runs scoring with two out. Walt Pohle followed with a single, making it 1-0.

Sandy Guerrero singled, placing runners at the corners. Then, the Gulls’ bad situation got worse.

Guerrero and Pohle executed a double steal and Guerrero wound up at third when Gulls catcher Greg Myers’ throw sailed into center field. After Tim Casey walked, Gulls center fielder Luis Reyna lost Mario Monico’s fly ball in the twilight and two more runs scored, making it 4-0.

Dewolf also started the Ports’ five-run sixth, reaching safely when first baseman Domingo Martinez couldn’t handle the ball and it skipped into right field. Dewolf stole second and third, and Pohle singled him in to make it 5-0. One out later, after Casey walked, Monico singled in Pohle from second and it was 6-0.

Shortstop Eric Yelding’s error then hurt the Gulls. Oscar Duran singled through his legs and Casey scored. Mike Gobbo drove in Monico and Duran. The rout was on, 9-0.

Geronimo Berroa was a factor in both Gulls runs. With the Gulls trailing, 10-0, he doubled to lead off the seventh. After Myers singled, Berroa scored when Mike Jones grounded into a double play.

Berroa drove in the only other Gulls run after Reyna reached first on one error, third on another. Berroa grounded to short, scoring Reyna.

Jose Mesa, who pitched 4 innings, took the loss. He is 9-6. Mike Frew improved his record to 5-4.