San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Travel to Stockton for Three-Game Series
May 21, 2011 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
San Jose Giants (27-15) @ Stockton Ports (24-18)
At Banner Island Ballpark
Saturday, May 21, 7:05 PM
Sunday, May 22, 2:09 PM
Monday, May 23, 11:05 AM
Probable Starting Pitching Matchups
Saturday - Chris Heston (4-1, 2.76) vs. A.J. Griffin (0-0, 0.00)
Sunday - Craig Westcott (4-0, 3.69) vs. Rob Gilliam (3-3, 4.53)
Monday - Zack Wheeler (3-2, 3.82) vs. Murphy Smith (2-3, 4.81)
Giants Begin Three-Game Series At Stockton Tonight...
The two-time defending California League champion San Jose Giants continue their road trip this evening with the opener of a three-game series against the Stockton Ports at Banner Island Ballpark.
San Jose split a four-game set with Modesto to begin the road trip dropping the first two games by the scores of 3-2 and 12-9 before posting victories of 9-2 and 9-1.
In yesterday's contest, Kelvin Marte limited the Nuts to a single run on three hits over a career-high eight innings of work to record the win.
Chris Dominguez knocked out three hits while Tommy Joseph drove home three runs to lead the offensive attack.
Gary Brown and Hector Sanchez each hit a home run in the top of the first inning for the Giants.
Media Coverage...
The games on Saturday and Sunday will be televised live on Comcast Hometown Network, Channel 104 with Zack Bayrouty and Rocky Koplik handling the play-by-play and color commentary duties respectively.
The entire series can also be heard live on www.sjgiants.com with Joe Ritzo calling the action.
Long Road Trip...
The Giants are in the midst of 11 straight games away from Municipal Stadium over a 12-day span - their longest road trip of the season.
After the current three-game series against the Ports and an off day, San Jose will travel to Bakersfield for a four-game set.
The Giants are 11-10 on the road this season.
Division Leaders...
The Giants (27-15) currently own a season-high three-game lead over the Stockton Ports (24-18) in the first half North Division race.
San Jose has won a California League record six consecutive first half North Division titles (2004-2010).
Giants-Ports Season Series...
This series marks San Jose's first visit of the season to Banner Island Ballpark.
In the only previous meeting between the clubs, the Giants won two out of three games from May 14-16 at Municipal Stadium.
After suffering a 9-4 loss in the opener, San Jose bounced back with 2-0 and 10-9 (18 innings) victories.
In the rubber game of the series, the Giants rallied three times in the extra frames scoring single runs in the 11th and 13th before a dramatic four-run bottom of the 18th inning to win the game.
Chris Dominguez (.438, 7-for-16, HR, 4 RBI) and Jarrett Parker (.353, 6-for-17, RBI) were San Jose's top hitters during the series.
Brown Extends Hitting Streak To 15 Games...
Center fielder Gary Brown extended his hitting streak to 15 games yesterday with a 1-for-3 effort at the plate.
Brown is hitting .456 (31-for-68) with eight doubles, three home runs and 16 RBI's during the streak.
The former first round draft pick leads the league in stolen bases (25), is tied for second in runs scored (39), tied for second in hits (66) and seventh in batting average (.377).
The 15-game hitting streak is the longest for a Giants player this season.
Sanchez With RBI's In 14 Straight Games...
Catcher Hector Sanchez has collected at least one RBI in 14 consecutive games dating back to May 4.
Sanchez has 24 RBI's and a .339 batting average during the stretch of games.
Balanced Team...
The Giants lead the California League in ERA (3.36) and are second in runs scored (6.4 per game).
San Jose is also second in home runs (43).
Rare Blown Save...
The Giants bullpen was charged with their first blown save since April 13 when Hector Correa was unable to hold a one-run lead in the eighth inning last Monday against Stockton.
San Jose had converted 14 consecutive save opportunities.
Hembree Slams The Door...
Relief pitcher Heath Hembree leads the California League with 12 saves while also possessing a sparkling 0.60 ERA.
The 2010 fifth round draft pick has struck out 25 batters in just 15 innings this season with only one run allowed.
In his last 12 appearances totaling 12 scoreless innings, Hembree has struck out 22.
Heston Named California League Pitcher Of The Week...
Today's starter Chris Heston was named California League Pitcher of the Week on Monday for his performance in last Sunday afternoon's contest against Stockton.
Heston fired seven shutout innings with just four hits allowed, no walks and eight strikeouts to pick-up the win.
He's now tied for second in the league in wins (4) and fourth in ERA (2.76).
Heston is the first Giants pitcher to win the weekly award this season.
Opponent Notes: Stockton Ports...
The Stockton Ports, an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, are currently third in the California League in team ERA (4.47), but are last in batting average (.257).
Stockton lost three out of four games at Bakersfield in their most recent series.
The Ports (18) are tied with Rancho Cucamonga for the fewest home games played of any team in the league.
2010 first round draft pick Michael Choice leads the team in doubles (12) and home runs (7) while he's hit safely in eight straight games.
Right-hander A.J. Griffin is slated to make the start on the mound tonight in his season debut with Stockton.
Griffin was 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in eight starts with Low-A Burlington prior to his promotion.
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California League Stories from May 21, 2011
- Quakes Drop Second Straight, Blanked on Saturday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Injury Deflates JetHawks in 6-2 Loss - Lancaster JetHawks
- A's Prospect Max Stassi to Have Shoulder Surgery - Stockton Ports
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Travel to Stockton for Three-Game Series - San Jose Giants
- Blaze Win in Extras - Bakersfield Blaze
- Late Rally Sinks Lancaster - Lancaster JetHawks
- Quakes Split Series with 5-4 Loss - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants Blast Nuts To Earn Series Split - San Jose Giants
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