Stockton Photo Gallery: Ports Drop One Late

STOCKTON, CA -- The Stockton Ports were in control of their game with Visalia for most of the contest. However, they came undone in the ninth inning and blew a 7-4 lead and wound-up falling by a score of 12-8. We have photos from the game, which was officially Oakland A's day at Banner Island Ballpark.

All photos by Chris Lockard/Scout.com

Stockton reliever Jeff Muessig models the special A's throw-back jerseys worn by the Ports on Sunday.

As part of the festivities, Oakland A's great Bert "Campy" Campaneris threw out the ceremonial first pitch and signed autographs for fans.

Luis Ramirez got the start for Stockton. He allowed one run in the first, but didn't allow another run until the seventh. He would last 7.1 innings and he allowed four runs on eight hits.

Adam Howard got the start for Visalia. He allowed six runs on 10 hits in four innings of work.

Stockton got off to a fast start, plating two runs in the first inning. Justin Sellers provided a key hit in the inning, doubling to left. He would finish the game 3-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Jon Zeringue takes his lead off of second. He doubled home a run in the first inning. He reached base three times in the game.

Stockton would add-on in the second inning with three more runs. Brian Stavisky connects on a two-run triple, which was the big hit in that inning. Stavisky had a big night for Stockton, going 2-4 with a triple, a homer, a walk and four RBI.

Visalia first baseman Bryan Byrne readies himself for a play.

Sellers collides with first baseman Tom Everidge on a pop-up that ended the third inning.

Everidge wound-up flat on his back, but he held on to the ball.

Stockton starter Ryan Webb got a chuckle out of the collision.

Raul Padron homers in the fourth inning. It was his second straight game with a homerun. He has 13 on the season.

John Brummett takes a mighty cut.

Visalia catcher John Hester looks in for the sign as Mike Affronti approaches the plate.

Howard catches Affronti's pop-up in front of the mound.

Pedro Ciriaco connects for a hit. He was the hitting star for Visalia, connecting for a homer and driving in three runs. He reached base four times.

Second baseman Mike Affronti made a throwing error in the ninth inning, but he made two outstanding plays in the field earlier in the game.

Sellers dives back into first base on a pick-off attempt. He would steal second on the next pitch, his 10th stolen base of the year.

Vince Bongiovanni threw one inning of relief for Visalia, allowing one run.

Michael Rogers came on in relief of Ramirez in the eighth inning with one-out. Rogers quickly retired the final two batters in the inning.

Reid Mahon threw a scoreless bottom of the eighth for Visalia. He would earn the win, his first of the year. Visalia's relief corps threw five innings and allowed two runs on two hits.

Stavisky takes a lead off of first. He wore a protective cover over his right hand when on the bases. Stavisky broke bones in that hand in April and has just recently returned to the field.

Adam Thomas came on in the ninth inning to try to close out a 7-4 Stockton win. He wound-up allowing six runs (four earned) without recording an out and was hung with the loss. Thomas didn't allow any hard hits, but he was victimized by two errors and by some bloop hits.

Ciriaco was hit by a pitch twice in the top of the ninth inning.

Patrick Currin took over for Thomas in the ninth and allowed two runs (none earned) on three hits in one inning of work. The Ports allowed eight runs on six hits, two errors and two hit by pitches in the top of the ninth inning.