Duffin homers again in Knights' victory over Ports.

Joe Duffin (pictured) tuned up for the forthcoming West Coast League All-Star Game Home Run Derby by blasting his sixth homer in a 9-1 nonleague win over the Portland Ports on Tuesday.

The designated hitter from Cypress College, bound for Connecticut this fall, launched a two-run shot well over the left-field fence in the fifth inning to give the Knights (24-12 all, 21-12 WCL) a 5-1 lead. He has now homered in two of his last three games.

First baseman Kevin Kline singled three times, scored and drove in a run to celebrate his selection to the All-Star Game, scheduled for Monday night in Klamath Falls.

Left fielder Tim Rausch also homered, doubled, stole a base and scored three times. Right fielder Phil Leopold doubled and singled; second baseman Kevin Farley had two hits; center fielder Grant Melker singled twice, stole two bases and had an RBI, and shortstop Alec Smith two RBIs as the Knights roughed up five Ports� pitchers for 14 hits.

Derrick Mahlum started for the Knights and had three strikeouts in two perfect innings in his first action since June 29. Ted Hammond got the win with two innings of one-hit relief; Chris Bishop had two scoreless innings, Justin Calomeni one.

The Knights host the Northwest Collegiate Baseball League's Portland Stars at 6:40 Wednesday night in another non-league game. They resume WCL play at Bellingham on Thursday night.

Tuesday's crowd of 898 upped the 2014 attendance to 29,842 in 24 openings. That�s 687 fewer than in 2013 through a corresponding number of home dates; the Knights drew a franchise-record 43,557 fans last summer.