Missed Opportunities Cost Giants in 5-3 Loss
Published on May 31, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
The San Jose Giants were unable to take advantage of 12 walks as the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes held on for a 5-3 victory on Monday afternoon at Municipal Stadium. The Giants mustered only one hit in 11 at-bats with runners in scoring position and also hit into three double plays as the Quakes snapped San Jose's eight-game home winning streak. With the loss, the Giants fall to 32-20 and now lead the first half North Division race by 3 1/2 games over the Modesto Nuts.
Brandon Belt (2-for-3, 2B, HR, 3 RBI) drove home all three of San Jose's runs to lead a six-hit offensive attack. San Francisco Giant Mark DeRosa, in the first game of his rehabilitation assignment, finished 0-for-4.
Trailing 5-1, the Giants rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning as Aaron Lowenstein led off by drawing a walk before Ehire Adrianza singled with one out. After DeRosa struck out looking, Belt hammered a double into the right field corner to score both runners and bring San Jose to within 5-3. New pitcher Kevin Nabors though entered the game and promptly struck out Charlie Culberson on a 3-2 pitch to pick-up the save.
Quakes starter Tyler Chatwood (6-2) earned his league-leading sixth victory of the season after limiting the Giants to one run on two hits over five innings. Chatwood struck out one and worked around seven walks. Reliever Jose Perez walked four over two-plus innings, but did not allow any runs.
Rancho Cucamonga took an early 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the first against San Jose starter Oliver Odle. With two outs, Alexi Amarista singled, stole second and then scored on Gabe Jacobo's triple down the right field line. Luis Jimenez followed with an RBI single to bring home the second run of the frame.
The Giants cut the Quakes lead in half in the bottom of the fourth when Belt led off with an opposite field solo homer to left.
Rancho Cucamonga though got the run right back in the top of the fifth as Rian Kiniry singled to lead off, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and came home on Tyson Auer's single up the middle.
Odle (5-1) suffered the loss for San Jose despite working a season-high six innings. The right-hander surrendered three runs (all earned) on eight hits with no walks and two strikeouts.
The Quakes moved ahead by a 5-1 margin in the top of the eighth on Angel Castillo's two-out, two-run double to deep left center.
The Giants had several missed opportunities throughout the game as DeRosa bounced into a double play with two runners on and none out in the bottom of the first. In the fifth, three walks loaded the bases with one out, but Chatwood induced DeRosa to ground into an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play.
In the sixth, San Jose stranded two more runners while they hit into another inning-ending double play in the bottom of the seventh. In the eighth, three walks loaded the bases with none out, but Rancho Cucamonga pitcher Steven Geltz retired Johnny Monell and Drew Biery on consecutive pop-outs before pinch-hitter Jose Flores grounded out to second.
Notes: San Jose's last home loss with a 10-inning defeat to the High Desert Mavericks on May 10 ... Rancho Cucamonga out-hit the Giants by a 12-6 margin ... San Jose left 11 runners on base - seven in scoring position ... Kyle Woodruff (3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO) was the only Giants reliever to appear in the game ... Quakes pitchers combined for 12 walks and only four strikeouts.
On Deck: The Giants and Quakes play the rubber game of their three-game series on Tuesday evening with first pitch at Municipal Stadium scheduled for 7:00 PM. Kyle Nicholson (3-3, 7.07 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Rancho Cucamonga is expected to counter with Ryan Chaffee (3-2, 7.58 ERA). Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com. Tuesday's game will also be televised live on Comcast Hometown Network, Channel 104.
California League Stories from May 31, 2010
- Russell's Blasts Lead 66ers Past Lancaster - Lancaster JetHawks
- Dodgers' George Sherrill Scheduled to Pitch in Lancaster Tuesday Night - Lancaster JetHawks
- Experience FRITOS Family Fridays at the Ballpark - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Quakes Survive 12-Walk Day, Win 5-3 - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Missed Opportunities Cost Giants in 5-3 Loss - San Jose Giants
- Perez's Single Gives San Jose Extra-Inning Win - San Jose Giants
- San Francisco Giant Mark Derosa Scheduled to Rehab in San Jose - San Jose Giants
- Giants Tip Quakes in Ten - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- 66ers Top Lancaster in Series Opener - Lancaster JetHawks
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