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Giants Power Past Blaze to Win Fourth Straight

April 15, 2012 - California League (CalL) San Jose Giants

SAN JOSE - Jarrett Parker hit a game-tying two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth before Luke Anders smacked a go-ahead two-run homer the next inning to lead the San Jose Giants to a 6-4 victory over the Bakersfield Blaze on Saturday evening at Municipal Stadium. The Giants overcame an early two-run deficit to pick-up their second straight win to begin the series and fourth straight victory overall.

Anders (3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) and Joe Panik (3-for-5, 2 2B, RBI) each knocked out three hits for San Jose offensively. Parker's (1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) home run was his team-leading fourth of the year while Carter Jurica (2-for-2) reached base in all four of his plate appearances.

Justin Schumer (2-0) earned his second win in as many starts after tossing six innings with three runs (all earned) and seven hits allowed. Schumer walked two and struck out three during his stint on the mound. Chris Wilson, who was making his first appearance of the season, allowed one run in the top of the ninth, but recorded the save.

Bakersfield jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with a pair of first- inning runs against Schumer. Billy Hamilton started the game with an infield single before stealing his league-leading seventh base of the year. Hamilton moved to third when the next batter, Devin Lohman, grounded out and then scored on Donald Lutz's double down the left field line. Lutz eventually scored the second run of the inning on David Vidal's two-out single.

The Giants managed one hit over the first two innings against Blaze starter Josh Smith before breaking through in the bottom of the third. Jurica began the inning by getting hit by a pitch before he was forced at second on Chris Lofton's fielder's choice grounder. After Andrew Susac flied out, Panik stepped to the plate and belted an RBI double off the fence in left for San Jose's first run of the contest.

Schumer had held Bakersfield hitless in the second and third innings, however Vidal began the top of the fourth with a home run to left extending the Blaze lead to 3-1. San Jose though immediately answered in the bottom of the inning. Anders led off with a single and two batters later, Parker connected for a two-run homer to left.

The Giants took their first lead of the night in the bottom of the fifth as Panik started the rally with a one-out single. Panik then advanced to second when, with two outs, the return throw from the first baseman Lutz bounced away from the pitcher Smith after a pick- off attempt. Anders followed with a two-run blast to right center giving San Jose a 5-3 lead. The home run was Anders' second of the season.

Schumer finished his outing by setting down the last seven Blaze hitters that he faced. The Giants added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth as consecutive singles from Devin Harris and Jurica began the frame. Lofton then dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but reached base safely when the throw to first glanced off the glove of the second baseman Lohman for an error. The misplay allowed Harris to score making it 6-3.

San Jose reliever Luis Rojas (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 SO) issued a pair of two-out walks in the top of the seventh, but pitched out of trouble when Travis Mattair flied out to center ending the threat. Josh Osich (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) entered the game to begin the top of the eighth and promptly allowed a leadoff double to Vidal. The runner, however, would not advance further as Stephen Hunt popped out, Bryson Smith flied out and Chris Berset struck out.

In the ninth, Wilson (1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO) surrendered back-to-back one-out singles to Hamilton and Lohman bringing the potential tying run to the plate. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third before Lutz grounded out to shortstop plating Hamilton. Wilson then struck out Mattair on three pitches to end the game.

Smith (0-2) suffered the loss for Bakersfield after yielding five runs (all earned) on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out five.

Notes: The Giants have won seven out of their first nine games this season ... Schumer tossed six no-hit innings in his first start last Sunday at Modesto ... Parker (4) and Anders (2) have combined to hit all six of San Jose's home runs this year ... Wilson last appeared in a game on May 5, 2011 ... He threw 14 of his 16 pitches for strikes in the ninth inning ... The Blaze were 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

On Deck: The Giants and Blaze conclude their four-game series with a doubleheader (two seven-inning games) on Sunday afternoon at Municipal Stadium. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 1:00 PM. Jack Snodgrass (0-1, 6.23 ERA) is slated to start the first game for San Jose while the Giants have not announced a starting pitcher for the second game. Bakersfield is expected to counter with Tony Cingrani (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and Kyle Lotzkar (1-0, 3.00 ERA) in games one and two respectively. It's a KBAY's Giant Sunday at the ballpark and tickets can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from April 15, 2012


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