CalL1 San Jose Giants

Giants Score Three In Eighth, Defeat Oaks 3-2

Published on June 14, 2007 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


The San Jose Giants scored three two-out runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and then held off the Visalia Oaks in the top of the ninth for an exciting 3-2 victory Thursday afternoon in the finale of a four-game series. In front of 2,367 fans at Municipal Stadium, Brian Bocock delivered a clutch single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth to score a pair of runs and tie the score at 2-2. Ben Copeland followed with a single of his own to score the go-ahead run before Taylor Wilding pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the ninth for the save. With the victory, the Giants took three-of-four games in the series.

San Jose (37-30) now owns a 1 ½ game lead on second-place Stockton (35-31) in the First Half North Division race. The Ports will travel to Modesto to play the Nuts in a game Thursday evening. Only three games remain in the Half for the Giants.

Three San Jose relievers combined to throw seven scoreless innings with Jason Waddell (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) earning the win. Wilding (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 SO) was credited with his 11th save of the year.

Dallas Buck suffered a tough-luck loss on the mound for the Oaks after surrendering three unearned runs on just two hits in 7 2/3 innings. Buck struck out nine and walked two.

The Visalia right-hander retired 12 Giants hitters in a row to begin his outing while San Jose's first hit didn't come until David Maroul's leadoff double in the bottom of the sixth.

With the Oaks leading 2-0, Mike Mooney started the eighth inning rally by reaching on a throwing error from the third baseman Brandon Burgess. Anthony Contreras followed with a bloop single into left field moving Mooney to second base. Buck responded by striking out Maroul before a Brad Boyer flied out. Antoan Richardson was up next and the Giants leadoff batter worked a full count and then drew a walk on the eighth pitch of the at-bat.

With the bases loaded, Buck was removed from the game in favor of Dan Stange. Stange, who entered the contest second in the California League with 11 saves, promptly gave up a line drive single to left off the bat of Bocock on an 0-1 pitch to score Mooney and Contreras with the tying runs.

Copeland then took a 2-0 pitch from Strange and lined a single into left field plating Richardson with the go-ahead score.

In the ninth, Wilding walked Cyle Hankerd to lead off before Frank Curreri doubled with one out to deep left center field putting runners on second and third. Wilding recovered to strike out Leyson Septimo, but a walk to the next hitter, Pedro Ciriaco, loaded the bases. Wilding though settled down and induced Greg Thomson to fly out routinely to left field ending the game.

The Giants finished the afternoon with just four hits - three of which came in the eighth inning.

Starting pitcher Darren Sack worked just two innings and surrendered two runs (both earned) on five hits. Kelvin Pichardo relieved Sack to begin the third and worked four dominant innings. The right-hander allowed just two hits and no runs with no walks and five strikeouts.

Notes: San Jose's Magic Number (any combination of Giants wins and Stockton losses) is three to clinch the First Half North Division title ... Adam Witter (0-for-3) saw his 13-game hitting streak come to an end ... The Giants bullpen combined for seven innings pitched with four hits allowed, two walks, and eight strike outs ... Waddell has thrown four scoreless innings spanning two relief appearances since joining the club from Extended Spring Training last Monday ... Visalia out-hit the Giants 9-4 ... San Jose is 20-12 at home this season.

On Deck: The Giants open a three-game series against the Modesto Nuts on Friday evening with first pitch at Municipal Stadium scheduled for 7:00 P.M. Paul Oseguera (5-2, 3.05 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Modesto is expected to counter with Brandon Durden (3-4, 4.88 ERA). It's a KFOX Family Friday at the ballpark and tickets can be purchased by calling (408)297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from June 14, 2007


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