Agosta Masterful in 3-0 Giants Victory
Published on July 10, 2015 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
SAN JOSE, CA - Martin Agosta fired eight scoreless innings with just three hits allowed and eight strikeouts in a 3-0 Giants victory over the Bakersfield Blaze on Thursday evening at Municipal Stadium. The shutout was San Jose's seventh of the season as the Giants (37-47) notched their third straight win against the Blaze to open the series.
Agosta (3-6) picked-up the win after achieving a new career-high in innings pitched. The right-hander, who did not allow a hit until the fifth inning, issued just one walk and retired 23 out of the 29 batters he faced.
Angel Villalona (2-for-4, 2 RBI) had two hits, including a two-run single, and Tyler Horan (1-for-3, HR, RBI) smacked a solo home run to lead San Jose at the plate.
The game was scoreless until the Giants broke through with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth against Bakersfield starter Will Mathis. Christian Arroyo led off with a single before Ryder Jones blasted a double off the wall in left center to put runners on second and third. Villalona was up next and he grounded a single up the middle to plate both runners for a 2-0 advantage.
San Jose pushed their lead to 3-0 when Horan stepped to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the sixth and crushed an opposite-field solo homer to left center. The home run was Horan's seventh of the season.
Meanwhile, Agosta cruised throughout his entire outing. After setting down the first six Blaze hitters of the night, Agosta worked around a leadoff hit batter in the top of the third. In the fourth, Tim Lopes drew a one-out walk and stole second, but was stranded in scoring position.
After the Giants took the lead, Agosta had to pitch out of a jam in the top of the fifth. Kyle Petty led off with a bloop single into shallow right center - the first Bakersfield hit of the game. Agosta then plunked Justin Seager to put runners on first and second with none out. Agosta though settled down inducing Jay Baum to pop out to shortstop before striking out Carlton Tanabe. Aaron Barbosa then popped out to shortstop to end the inning.
Agosta breezed through a 1-2-3 top of the sixth before using a double play to pitch around a leadoff single in the seventh. With San Jose ahead by three runs, Agosta quickly retired the first two batters of the eighth inning. Barbosa then reached on a two-out bunt single, but Agosta recovered to strikeout Nelson Ward to complete his outing.
Christian Jones relieved Agosta to begin the top of the ninth and recorded four strikeouts in the inning to notch the save. Lopes struck out to start the frame before Guillermo Pimentel struck out, but reached first base on a wild pitch. Jones though came back to register consecutive swinging strikeouts of Burt Reynolds and Petty to seal the victory. The save was Jones' first of the season.
Mathis (1-2), who was making his first start of the year after 26 relief appearances, was saddled with the loss. The Blaze left-hander was charged with two runs (both earned) on five hits over a season-high 3 2/3 innings. Mathis walked one and struck out three.
Notes:
* The Giants have clinched their first series win since sweeping a four-game set against Rancho Cucamonga from May 22-25.
* San Jose has won three games in a row for the third time this year (three straight wins from April 20-22 and eight consecutive victories from May 19-27).
* The Giants' seven shutouts are second in the California League (Visalia leads with nine).
* San Jose has allowed just one run and nine hits over the last 24 innings in the series.
* Horan's seven home runs are tied for the team lead (Brian Ragira).
* Over his last seven starts, Agosta has collected 50 strikeouts and walked just three (41 2/3 innings). His eight strikeouts on Thursday was one off of his season-high.
* Jones recorded the first save of his professional career.
* Villalona has 10 RBI's over his last eight games.
* Pitcher Jeff Soptic was activated off the disabled list before the game. Infielder John Polonius was placed on the 7-day DL.
* The Giants improved to 7-7 in the second half.
On Deck: The Giants will look to sweep their four-game series against Bakersfield on Friday evening. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Jason Forjet (2-2, 3.40 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while the Blaze are expected to counter with Brett Ash (4-5, 3.03 ERA). It's the third annual Star Wars Night at the ballpark and fans who dress up in their favorite Star Wars gear will receive two future game tickets. The Star Wars jerseys that the players will be wearing will be available in an in-game silent auction through the sixth inning. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Police Amateur Athletic Foundation in Officer Michael Johnson's name. Additionally, the first 1,000 fans through the gate will receive a Homegrown Champion Joe Panik Bobblehead presented by Alliance Credit Union. Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting sjgiants.com.
California League Stories from July 10, 2015
- Reed Named Cal League June Player of Month - Lancaster JetHawks
- McDonald, Wik Lead Way Past Quakes - Lancaster JetHawks
- Quakes' Rally Falls Shy, Fall to Lancaster - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Offense Lags Again as Ports Drop Fifth Straight - Stockton Ports
- Blaze Blanked 3-0 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Agosta Masterful in 3-0 Giants Victory - San Jose Giants
- Top of the Order Does Bulk of the Damage in 7-4 Win - Modesto Nuts
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