CalL1 San Jose Giants

Bakersfield Blaze at San Jose Giants, May 14-17

Published on May 14, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Bakersfield Blaze (17-15) at San Jose Giants (17-16)

At Municipal Stadium

- Friday, May 14, 7:00 PM

- Saturday, May 15, 6:00 PM

- Sunday, May 16, 2:00 PM

- Monday, May 17, 7:00 PM

Pitching Match Ups

- Friday - Carlos Pimentel (3-1, 3.34) at Aaron King (1-2, 7.29)

- Saturday - Kennil Gomez (1-2, 5.79) at Eric Stolp (1-3, 5.03)

- Sunday - Jacob Brigham (2-4, 4.54) at Eric Surkamp (1-1, 2.57)

- Monday - Wilfredo Boscan (2-4, 5.40) at Craig Westcott (1-0, 0.94)

THE SAN JOSE GIANTS... return home this evening to begin a four-game series against the Bakersfield Blaze at Municipal Stadium. San Jose won three out of four games from the first-place Visalia Rawhide in their most recent series, including a 21-9 blowout victory in the finale last night. The Giants pounded out 26 hits and had a commanding 14-0 lead after only 3 1/2 innings. Brandon Belt (4-for-6, 2 2B, 4 RBI) and Juan Perez (4-for-7, 3 RBI, 2 SB) led the offensive attack while Drew Biery (3-for-6, 2 RBI) and Charlie Culberson (3- for-7, RBI) added three hits apiece. All nine San Jose starters finished with a multi-hit game. Kyle Nicholson was credited with the victory on the mound despite allowing seven runs over five-plus innings of work.

Media Coverage... Tonight's game will be televised live on Comcast Hometown Network, Digital Channel 104 throughout most Northern California regions. Joe Ritzo and Rocky Koplik will handle the play- by-play and color commentary duties respectively. The entire series can also be heard live on www.sjgiants.com.

Offensive Explosion... The 21 runs and 26 hits in yesterday's game are both high totals for any team in the California League this season. San Jose was one run shy of matching their team record for most runs in a single game (22 runs, 7/27/88 at Modesto). The Giants also collected 14 hits in the each of their other wins in the series and scored 37 runs total during the four-game set.

San Jose In Search Of Three-Game Win Streak... A victory tonight for San Jose would give the Giants their first three-game winning streak in a month (April 13-15).

Home Woes... The Giants bring a season-high six-game home losing streak into tonight's contest. San Jose last won a home game on April 30 versus the Modesto Nuts. The Giants were swept in a four-game series by the visiting High Desert Mavericks (May 7-10) in their last home series. It marked the first time since 2004 that San Jose has been swept in a four-game series at home.

Sellout Crowd... Tonight's series opener against Bakersfield is already a sellout. The Giants have one had previous sellout this season when a crowd of 5,359 witnessed the April 30 game against Modesto. Four of the top five home crowds in San Jose Giants history have occurred in the last two seasons.

Giants In The Cal League Rankings... Entering tonight, San Jose is tied for third in the California League in batting average (.280), fifth in runs scored (4.7) and second in stolen bases (57). On the mound, their 4.13 team ERA is fifth in the league while their 101 walks issued are tied for third-fewest. The Giants are one of three teams (Lancaster, Inland Empire) that has yet to shutout an opponent this season. Defensively, San Jose is fourth in fielding percentage (. 975), second in double plays (35) and third in caught stealing efficiency (39.0%).

One Doubleheader Down, Two To Go... The Giants played their first of three doubleheaders over a 10-day period last Wednesday against the Rawhide. San Jose and Visalia will play another twinbill on Tuesday, May 18 at Municipal Stadium with the Rawhide acting as the home team in the first game. The Giants will then play two games in one day at Modesto on Friday, May 21 with the first contest beginning in the top of the third inning with San Jose ahead by a 7-2 score (from the April 11 suspended game).

Power Surge... San Jose has already hit 12 home runs through 13 games in May after hitting only 10 homers in 20 games during the month of April. Catcher Johnny Monell has hit four home runs this month to lead the way while second baseman Charlie Culberson has gone deep three times. Monell (5), Culberson (4) and Juan Perez (4) are the team leaders in home runs. The Giants' 22 overall home runs are tied for fifth in the California League.

Belt Leads The Offensive Attack... Brandon Belt enters tonight's game with a .383 batting average to rank tied for fourth in the California League. Belt is also first in on-base percentage (.485), first in doubles (13) and fifth in slugging percentage (.589). Belt enjoyed a 17-game hitting streak from April 12 through April 30 and has hit safely in 25 out of his last 29 games.

Disabled List... Four Giants players are currently on the disabled list: starting pitcher Ari Ronick (left elbow), catcher Aaron Lowenstein (bruised thigh), relief pitcher Ben Wilshire (right elbow) and first baseman/DH Josh Mazzola (separated shoulder). Lowenstein and Wilshire could return to the active roster within a week.

Bakersfield Blaze... The Bakersfield Blaze, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers, enter tonight's action in third place in the North Division with a 17-15 record - one game out of the top spot. The Blaze swept visiting High Desert in their last series and have won a season-high six games in a row. Bakersfield leads the league with a 3.51 team ERA. Right-hander Carlos Pimentel is slated to make the start on the mound tonight. Pimentel is 3-1 with a 3.34 ERA this season.

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California League Stories from May 14, 2010


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