Downs' Home Run Lifts Giants To 5-1 Victory
Published on May 31, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
Matt Downs hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning leading the San Jose Giants to a 5-1 victory over the Modesto Nuts on Saturday evening to complete a four-game sweep. In front of 3,380 fans at Municipal Stadium, Downs' homer was part of a four-run eighth inning rally for the Giants. The win, San Jose's season-high sixth in a row, improves the Giants' record to 36-19.
With the score tied 1-1, Mike McBryde began the eighth inning rally by drawing a one-out walk. Then with two outs, Downs stepped to the plate and drove an 0-2 pitch from Nuts reliever Will Harris over the fence in left center field for a go-ahead home run.
The rally continued when the next hitter, Pablo Sandoval, singled sharply into center field before advancing to second base on a balk. Ryan Rohlinger then singled up the middle to plate Sandoval. Andy D'Alessio followed with an RBI double to the fence in deep right center field to score the fourth run of the inning.
Steve Edlefsen (2-1) was credited with the victory out of the Giants bullpen after working a scoreless top of the eighth inning. Edlefsen struck out Daniel Mayora to end the inning, stranding runners at second and third.
San Jose starter Tim Alderson was spectacular on the mound after tossing a season-high seven innings. Alderson surrendered only one run on three hits as the right-hander struck out a season-high eight and did not walk a batter. Alderson retired 18 of the final 19 batters he faced.
Modesto's only run of the contest came in the top of the first inning as Anthony Jackson led off with a double before scoring two batters later on Mike Paulk's sacrifice fly.
The only other baserunners against Alderson were Nick Haley's leadoff single in the second and Jay Cox's one-out single in the top of the fifth. Alderson finished his outing by setting down eight consecutive hitters.
Nuts starting pitcher Esmil Rogers was equally impressive as he faced just one batter over the minimum over the first six innings. However, the Giants rallied with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score. Sandoval started the rally when he reached base safely on a strikeout, wild pitch with one out. Rohlinger then singled sharply into right field to move Sandoval to third base. After D'Alessio struck out, Sharlon Schoop delivered a clutch hit when he grounded a single up the middle to score Sandoval with the tying run.
Rogers surrendered just one run on four hits during his seven innings of work. The right-hander walked two and struck out seven.
Sandoval (2-for-4) and Rohlinger (2-for-3, RBI) both finished with multiple-hit games for the Giants. San Jose out-hit Modesto by an 8-4 margin.
Joe Paterson threw a scoreless top of the ninth inning as the left-hander worked through a two-out single to seal the victory.
California League Stories from May 31, 2008
- Downs' Home Run Lifts Giants To 5-1 Victory - San Jose Giants
- Downs' Home Run Lifts Giants To 5-1 Victory - San Jose Giants
- Downs' Home Run Lifts Giants To 5-1 Victory - San Jose Giants
- Downs' Home Run Lifts Giants To 5-1 Victory - San Jose Giants
- Francisco Rodriguez Figurine Giveaway Closes Out Homestand Tonight - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Quakes Blasted By Storm 11-3 - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Ports Left Frustrated For Second Straight Night - Stockton Ports
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
