Giants Outlast Bakersfield In 14-Inning Marathon
Published on August 6, 2007 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
Ben Copeland's RBI single and Adam Witter's two-run homer in the 14th inning propelled the San Jose Giants to a marathon 6-3 victory over the Bakersfield Blaze on Sunday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark. In the rubber game of the three-game series, both teams scored single runs in the 12th inning before the Giants took control of the contest with three tallies in the top of the 14th. With the victory, San Jose improves their Second Half record to 25-19 while moving to within three games of the first-place Modesto Nuts (28-16) in the North Division.
Anthony Moreno (4-2) earned the win out of the Giants bullpen with two perfect innings of relief to finish the contest. The right-hander, who was San Jose's sixth hurler of the evening, struck out one.
Witter (1-for-5, HR, 3 RBI) and Brian Bocock (2-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI) both hit home runs for the Giants. Witter finished the series with four round-trippers.
With the score tied 3-3, Bocock led off the top of the 14th with a bloop double down the left field line. After Brad Boyer sacrificed Bocock to third base with a bunt, Copeland smacked a 3-2 pitch from losing pitcher Mike Wagner into right field for an RBI single.
Witter followed by blasting the first pitch of his at-bat over the wall in straightaway center field to push the Giants lead to 6-3.
San Jose went in front by a 3-2 score with a run in the top of the 12th inning. Bocock started the rally by drawing a walk before a sacrifice bunt from Boyer. After Copeland was intentionally walked, Bocock was thrown out at third base trying to advance on an errant pitch delivered by Jared Hyatt.
Witter then walked to put runners on first and second setting the table for Pablo Sandoval. On a 1-2 pitch, Sandoval lined a ball into center field plating Copeland with the go-ahead run.
Bakersfield though had an answer in the bottom of the 12th. Facing Ben Cox, Thomas Berkery led off by drawing a walk. Berkery advanced to second on Brian Valichka's sacrifice bunt before Matt Smith grounded a single into right field. Berkery tried to score on the play, but was thrown out at home by Giants right fielder Mike Mooney.
Smith, however, took second on the throw and after a walk to Craig Gentry, Elvis Andrus singled sharply into center field to score the tying run. Cox would recover to strike out the next hitter, John Whittleman, to strand the potential winning run at second base.
In addition to Bocock, Boyer (2-for-5, 2B, SB), Sandoval (2-for-7, RBI), Mooney (2-for-7, 2B), and Will Thompson (2-for-3) finished with more than one hit for the Giants. Both clubs ended the night with 13 hits.
San Jose starting pitcher Ronnie Ray received a no-decision despite six solid innings of work. Ray scattered eight hits and allowed two runs (one earned) with no walks and three strikeouts.
Bakersfield scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings against Ray to take a 2-0 lead. In the top of the sixth, Bocock led off with a home run down the left field line to cut the Blaze lead in the half. Boyer followed with a double to deep left center field and scored two batters later on Witter's fielder's choice ground out.
Taylor Wilding (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO) worked a pair of hitless innings over the seventh and eighth frames for the Giants. In the bottom of the ninth, Jason Waddell (1/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO) allowed a pair of singles while recording just one out. But Sergio Romo entered the contest and promptly retired the next two hitters on routine fly ball outs to force extra innings.
Romo (2 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO) continued his dominance over scoreless tenth and 11th innings.
Notes: The Giants finished their six-game road trip with a 3-3 record ... Witter went 12-for-27 (.444) with four doubles, five home runs, and nine RBI during the trip ... Wilding, Waddell, and Romo lowered their ERA's to 1.79, 1.21, and 1.66 respectively ... Boyer is now 20-for-21 in stolen base attempts this season ... San Jose ends the year with a 7-2 record at Sam Lynn Ballpark ... The game ended at 11:50 P.M. PDT (four hours and eight minutes in length) ... The Giants are 8-2 in extra-inning games ... San Jose's overall record improves to 64-50.
On Deck: The Giants enjoy an off day on Monday before opening a three-game home series against the Stockton Ports on Tuesday night. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. Gregorio Martinez (5-9, 5.09 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Stockton is expected to counter with Kevin Deaton. Tickets can be purchased by calling (408)297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.
California League Stories from August 6, 2007
- Tuesday's "Tumbleweed Tuesday" Ticket Price Only $2.50 - Lancaster JetHawks
- Travis Beazley Named California League Pitcher of the Week - Lancaster JetHawks
- Bark in the Ballpark, Fireworks & Hat and Binder giveaways light up homestand! - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants Outlast Bakersfield In 14-Inning Marathon - San Jose Giants
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