High Desert Rallies Past Giants, 8-5
Published on April 30, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
The High Desert Mavericks scored eight unanswered runs to finish the game and defeat the San Jose Giants 8-5 on Tuesday night at Stater Bros. Stadium in the opener of a three-game series. The Mavericks overcame an early 5-0 deficit and went ahead for good with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the loss, San Jose's record drops to 17-9.
Pablo Sandoval (3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) led a 10-hit Giants offensive attack while Andy D'Alessio (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) smacked his third home run of the season. Ryan Rohlinger (2-for-3, 2B) also finished the contest with a multiple-hit game.
Dan Griffin (1-1) suffered the loss out of the San Jose bullpen after surrendering all three runs (two earned) in the pivotal bottom of the sixth. With the Giants leading 5-4, Matt Mangini started the rally by drawing a one-out walk. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Mangini moved to third base when Kuo Hui Lo reached on an infield single. Leury Bonilla followed with a perfectly executed hit-and-run single when he grounded a ball through the wide open hole on the right side of the infield. The single scored Mangini with the tying run and advanced Lo to third base.
Jamie McOwen then singled sharply into right field to plate Lo for a 6-5 High Desert lead. Bonilla would eventually score the third run of the frame on a throwing error committed by Giants first baseman Brett Pill.
San Jose starting pitcher Clayton Tanner received a no-decision after yielding four runs (all earned) on nine hits over five innings. Tanner walked one and struck out four during his stint on the mound.
The Giants quickly jumped in front with three runs in the top of the first inning against High Desert starting pitcher Kyle Parker. With two outs, Rohlinger doubled off the fence in left center field before scoring when the next hitter, Sandoval, lined a single into center. D'Alessio followed with a two-run homer to deep center field extending the San Jose lead to 3-0.
In the third, Rohlinger started the rally with a walk before advancing to second on a passed ball. Sandoval then delivered an RBI double to the fence in center field to make the score 4-0. Sandoval scored two batters later on Pill's sharp single into left.
The Giants though would manage just three base runners after Pill one-out single in the top of the third inning. Their best chance to score late in the game was in the top of the seventh when Rohlinger and Sandoval reached on consecutive two-out singles with San Jose trailing 7-5. But Mavericks reliever Mike Wagner retired D'Alessio on a fly out to left field to end the threat.
Wagner was credited with his first save of the season after setting down the final seven San Jose hitters of the evening.
Notes: High Desert out-hit the Giants by a 14-10 margin ... San Jose now sits two games behind the Stockton Ports (19-7) for the top spot in the North Division ... Griffin (2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO), Wilmin Rodriguez (1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO), and Craig Whitaker (2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) all pitched out of the Giants bullpen ... Sandoval increased his league-best batting average to .439 ... Tuesday marked the opener of a six-game road trip for San Jose ... The Giants need a win on Wednesday versus the Mavericks to set a team record for victories during the month of April ... Tanner has allowed seven earned runs over eight innings during his last two starts.
On Deck: The Giants and Mavericks continue this three-game series on Wednesday morning with first pitch at Stater Bros. Stadium scheduled for 10:35 A.M. Kevin Pucetas (3-0, 1.24 ERA) is slated to make the start on the mound for San Jose while High Desert is expected to counter with Alfredo Venegas (1-0, 3.00 ERA). The game can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com.
California League Stories from April 30, 2008
- Lancaster-Rancho Cucamonga Game - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Defeat Mavericks, Set April Win Record - San Jose Giants
- Former JetHawks Star Greg Smith on Today's Clubhouse Show - Lancaster JetHawks
- John Lackey to return to the Epicenter mound on Sunday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Angels Lackey to Start for Quakes on May 4th - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- High Desert Rallies Past Giants, 8-5 - San Jose Giants
- July 4 Fireworks Spectacular Individual Game Tickets On Sale Thursday - Lancaster JetHawks
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