Giants Drop Rubber Game To Inland Empire, 8-4
Published on May 21, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
The Inland Empire 66ers used a 14-hit offensive attack to defeat the San Jose Giants 8-4 on Thursday afternoon in the rubber game of their three-game series at Municipal Stadium. Elian Herrera and Alex Garabedian each rapped out three hits while Adolfo Gonzalez added three hits and a key early-inning home run to lead the charge. San Jose has now lost four out of their last five games overall while their record dropped to 23-18.
Buster Posey (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) smacked his team-leading seventh home run of the season and was the only Giants player to finish with a multiple-hit game.
Garrett Broshuis (2-1) was charged with his first loss of the season after allowing three runs (all earned) on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings. Broshuis walked three and struck out three.
After San Jose tied the score at 2-2 on Posey's RBI single in the bottom of the third inning, Inland Empire went ahead for good with a single run in the top of the fourth. After two quick outs, Justin Fuller drew a walk and then Garabedian slammed a double off of the fence in left field to bring the home the go-ahead run.
The Giants threatened in the bottom of the inning when 66ers starting pitcher Chris Withrow issued back-to-back one-out walks to Conor Gillaspie and Trent Kline, but San Jose failed to score when Ryan Lormand grounded out and Shane Jordan popped out.
In the fifth, Broshuis walked Trayvon Robinson with two outs before allowing a single to Scott Van Slyke and a walk to Steven Caseres to load the bases. Wilmin Rodriguez was then summoned from the bullpen and the left-hander worked out of the jam by striking out Pedro Baez on a 3-2 pitch.
Rodriguez though would struggle in the top of the sixth inning as Inland Empire plated three runs to take a 6-2 lead. Fuller and Garabedian began the frame with back-to-back singles before a sacrifice bunt from Garett Green. Then with Herrera at the plate, Rodriguez uncorked a wild pitch allowing Fuller to score the first run of the inning. Herrera then lined a single into right field plating Garabedian for a 5-2 lead. Two batters later, Herrera was attempting to advance to third base on another Rodriguez wild pitch and was able to score when the catcher Kline threw the ball down the left field line.
Inland Empire scored their final two runs of the afternoon in the top of the seventh inning against reliever David Mixon. A bases loaded walk to Green forced home the first run followed by an RBI single from Herrera to make the score 8-2. Craig Whitaker relieved Mixon with the bases loaded and one out and did induce Gonzalez to bounce into an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play to prevent further damage.
San Jose attempted to climb back into the game in the bottom of the seventh inning when Posey belted a two-out, two-run homer to deep left center field. However, the Giants would not manage another hit for the remainder of the contest with Jake McCarter firing two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to end the game.
Withrow (3-3) was credited with the victory after surrendering two runs (one earned) on five hits over 5 1/3 innings. The former first round draft pick walked four and struck out five.
San Jose initially jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Roger Kieschnick led off with a double before scoring on Thomas Neal's one-out single.
The 66ers responded though with two runs in the third when Gonzalez connected for a two-out, two-run homer to left off of Broshuis.
Notes: Inland Empire won two out of three games in the series ... The teams won't meet again until September 1-3 in San Bernardino ... The 66ers out-hit the Giants by a 14-7 margin ... Posey extended his hitting streak to seven games ... He has two home runs and 10 RBI's in his last four games ... Broshuis had allowed only three earned runs over 19 2/3 innings this season before Thursday's start ... Rodriguez (1 1/3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO), Mixon (1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO and Whitaker (2 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO) all pitched out of the San Jose bullpen ... Outfielder Ben Copeland and relief pitcher Sergio Romo completed their rehab assignments in San Jose and were transferred to Fresno (AAA) before the game.
On Deck: The Giants continue their homestand with the opener of a four-game series against the Modesto Nuts on Friday night at Municipal Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM. It's a KFOX Family Friday and a spectacular fireworks show will follow the game presented by San Jose Water Company. Scott Barnes (4-1, 4.41 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for the Giants while the Nuts are expected to counter with Brandon Durden (2-2, 3.20 ERA). Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (408)297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.
California League Stories from May 21, 2009
- Giants Drop Rubber Game To Inland Empire, 8-4 - San Jose Giants
- JetHawks Win the Lake Elsinore Marathon, 5-3 - Lancaster JetHawks
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