CalL1 San Jose Giants

San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Host Inland Empire for Three Games

Published on July 16, 2011 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Inland Empire 66ers (41-51) @ San Jose Giants (63-28)

At Municipal Stadium

Saturday, July 16, 6:00 PM

Sunday, July 17, 5:00 PM

Monday, July 18, 7:00 PM

Probable Starting Pitching Matchups

Saturday - Fernando Rodney (0-0, 0.00) vs. Zack Wheeler (6-4, 3.76)

Sunday - Ryan Chaffee (2-9, 6.78) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (0-0, 0.00)

Monday - John Hellweg (2-4, 5.33) vs. Chris Heston (7-4, 4.09)

Giants Begin Three-Game Series Against Inland Empire Tonight...

The two-time defending California League champion San Jose Giants return home this evening to begin a three-game series against the Inland Empire 66ers at Municipal Stadium.

San Jose swept a four-game set from the host Visalia Rawhide in their most recent series earning victories of 8-5 (10 innings), 5-4, 12-1 and 3-1.

In last night's contest, Craig Westcott allowed just one unearned run on four hits over a career-high eight innings to become the first 11-game winner in the California League this season.

Westcott walked none and struck out three before David Mixon pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.

Tommy Joseph started two run-scoring rallies with doubles to lead a nine-hit offensive attack.

The Giants scored the go-ahead run on an error with two outs in the top of the eighth inning.

Media Coverage...

The entire series can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com with Joe Ritzo and Rocky Koplik calling all of the action.

All 140 games this season will be aired on the club's official website.

10 Wins In A Row...

The Giants enter tonight's contest having won 10 in a row to mark their third winning streak of 10 or more games this season.

San Jose's last defeat was on July 4 to the Modesto Nuts.

Since, the Giants won twice against the Nuts and recorded back-to-back four-game sweeps of the Bakersfield Blaze and Visalia Rawhide.

During the current win streak, the San Jose pitching staff has compiled a 2.08 ERA (21 ER/91.0 IP).

Since beginning the second half with a season-high six-game losing streak, the Giants have gone 13-3.

The win streak is San Jose's third-longest of the season.

The Giants set a team record with a pair of 12-game win streaks during the first half (May 19-31 and June 3-16).

San Jose had only five winning streaks of 10 games or more during the first 23 years of their history (1988-2010).

Second-Best Record In Minor League Baseball...

San Jose (63-28, .692) currently boasts the second-best record among full-season teams in all of Minor League Baseball - 1/2 game behind the Double-A San Antonio Missions of the Texas League (63-27, .700).

July Offensive Surge...

The Giants have hit .291 as a team this month - tied for the highest July batting average in the California League (Modesto).

Individually, James Simmons (.340, 16-for-47, 5 HR, 9 RBI) and Ehire Adrianza (.327, 17-for-52, 6 RBI) have been San Jose's top hitters this month.

The Giants are 11-3 in July.

Mark DeRosa Begins Rehab Assignment...

San Francisco Giant Mark DeRosa is scheduled to begin a two-game stint with San Jose this evening as part of a rehabilitation assignment.

DeRosa is currently on San Francisco's 60-day disabled list due to a strained left wrist.

He last played in the big leagues on May 18.

In 18 games this season, DeRosa is batting .162 (6-for-37) with one double, no home runs and three RBI's.

He's been limited to only 44 games over the last two years due to injury.

The infielder/outfielder owns a career Major League batting average of .271 with 93 home runs and 443 RBI's in 1,076 games.

He debuted in 1998 with the Atlanta Braves.

Joseph Recovers From Slow Start...

At the end of May, catcher Tommy Joseph was batting only .211 with four home runs.

Beginning on June 1, Joseph has hit .294 with 15 doubles, six home runs and 21 RBI's (35 games).

Bullpen Ace...

Mitch Lively has emerged as the Giants closer after the promotion of Heath Hembree to Double-A Richmond on June 16.

Lively has eight saves this season - all after Hembree left the team.

In his last 23 games dating back to May 16, Lively owns a spectacular 0.32 ERA with 37 strikeouts and just one earned run allowed in 28 1/3 innings.

Versus The South...

This series marks San Jose's first games against the South Division since playing Lancaster from May 10-13.

The Giants are 12-6 versus South Division teams this season.

Seventh Consecutive First Half North Division Title...

The Giants have won their California League record seventh consecutive first half North Division title (2005-2011).

San Jose has posted a 50-19 first half record - 12 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Stockton Ports (38-32).

By virtue of winning the division crown, the Giants clinch a spot in the playoffs and earn a first round bye.

San Jose will open the postseason on Saturday, September 10 with Game One of the best-of-five North Division Series at Municipal Stadium.

The Giants will also host Game Two of the series on Sunday, September 11.

Prior to San Jose's current run, the California League record for consecutive first half division titles was three (Visalia).

Even with the second half of the season already started, the Giants still officially have one game remaining in the first half.

Due to the rainout on June 3, San Jose will play a doubleheader against the Visalia Rawhide on Sunday, July 24 at Municipal Stadium (4:00 PM start).

The second game of the doubleheader will count towards the first half standings.

Opponent Notes: Inland Empire 66ers...

The Inland Empire 66ers, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, enter tonight's contest with an overall record of 41-51 and a 9-13 second half mark.

Inland Empire is one game behind High Desert (42-50) for the wild card lead in the South Division.

The 66ers are sixth in the league in hitting (.277) and eighth in ERA (5.16).

Angels relief pitcher Fernando Rodney is slated to make the start on the mound in tonight's series opener as part of a rehab assignment.

Check out the San Jose Giants Statistics

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California League Stories from July 16, 2011


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