CalL1 San Jose Giants

Bednar's Blast, Stellar Pitching Lift Giants to 5-1 Win

Published on July 10, 2014 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


SAN JOSE - Brandon Bednar hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth and three San Jose pitchers combined on a five-hitter to lead the Giants to a 5-1 victory over the Bakersfield Blaze on Wednesday evening at Municipal Stadium. San Jose has now claimed the first two games of the series while securing their ninth win in the last 12 contests overall.

Pat Young (7-3) earned his seventh win of the season after limiting the Blaze to one run on three hits over six innings. Young walked four and struck out four during his outing. Stephen Johnson (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO) then threw a scoreless top of the seventh before Tyler Rogers (2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) worked the last two innings for his second save of the year.

Bednar (2-for-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), who also doubled and drew a walk to start a run-scoring rally, led a nine-hit Giants offensive attack. Brian Ragira (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Shawn Payne (2-for-3, SB) added two hits apiece.

The game was scoreless with both teams managing just one hit over the first four innings. Bakersfield finally broke through against Young in the top of the fifth with a single run as Zach Vincej began the inning by drawing a walk before Brent Peterson bounced a single into left. After a sacrifice bunt from Beau Amaral advanced the runners and Bryson Smith walked to load the bases, Jeff Gelalich hit a sacrifice fly to right to score the run.

Blaze starter Ismael Guillon, a member of the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster, began his outing with five scoreless innings and just two hits allowed. The Giants though would rally against Guillon in the sixth. With one out, Elliott Blair singled sharply up the middle. Bednar was up next and he launched an 0-1 pitch over the fence in deep left center for a two-run homer. The home run, Bednar's first since joining the club from Augusta, gave San Jose a 2-1 lead.

The rally continued after the home run as Blake Miller then reached base on a throwing error committed by the shortstop Vincej. A wild pitch advanced Miller to second before Ragira delivered a two-out, RBI single into center for a 3-1 advantage.

Johnson relieved Young to begin the top of the seventh and worked around a one-out walk to maintain the two-run lead. In the eighth, Marquez Smith doubled with one out against Rogers, but the Giants reliever recovered to set down Juan Perez on a pop out before striking out David Vidal to end the inning.

San Jose then pushed across two insurance runs against the Blaze bullpen in the bottom of the eighth. After a leadoff walk to Bednar, Miller hammered an RBI triple off the fence in deep right center. Mitch Delfino then produced an RBI groundout to shortstop as Miller came home to make it 5-1.

Rogers returned to the mound in he top of the ninth and quickly set down the first two batters before Sebastian Elizalde singled to right. Rogers though came back to retire Smith on a groundout to finish the game.

Guillon (0-2) suffered the loss for Bakersfield after yielding three runs (two earned) on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. The left-hander walked one and struck out three.

Notes: San Jose has allowed a total of just three runs over the first two games in the series ... Ragira extended his hitting streak to a season-high nine games ... Bednar and Blair (1-for-4) also each extended hitting streaks to eight games ... Bednar is 13-for-33 (.406) in eight games overall with the Giants ... Young picked-up his first home win (1-3) in seven starts this season (6-0 on the road) ... The Blaze were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base ... San Jose improved their second half record to 11-9 - tied with Bakersfield (11-9) for second place in the North Division ... The Giants also returned to .500 overall (45-45).

On Deck: The Giants will look for a three-game sweep of the Blaze when the teams conclude their series on Thursday afternoon. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 12:35 PM. Chris Stratton (5-8, 5.31 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Bakersfield is expected to counter with Drew Cisco (4-2, 5.51 ERA). Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from July 10, 2014


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