CalL1 San Jose Giants

Blaze Edge Giants in Series Opener, 4-3

Published on August 8, 2011 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


SAN JOSE - Bakersfield's Kevin Coddington delivered two go-ahead hits, including a key RBI double in the top of the eighth inning, to lead the Blaze to a 4-3 victory over the San Jose Giants on Sunday evening at Municipal Stadium. Coddington also hit a two-run home run in the top of the second inning as Bakersfield claimed the opener of the three-game series. The loss dropped San Jose's overall record to 74-39.

Jarrett Parker (1-for-4, HR, RBI) and Alex Burg (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) both hit home runs to lead the Giants offensively, but San Jose was 0- for-8 batting with runners in scoring position and left the potential tying run at second base in the bottom of the ninth.

The Giants trailed by a 2-1 margin until Burg stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases empty and drilled an 0-2 pitch from Blaze reliever Scott Gaffney over the fence in left center field for a home run. The homer, Burg's seventh of the season, tied the score 2-2.

Bakersfield though would immediately reclaim the lead in the top of the eighth. Facing San Jose relief pitcher Michael Main, Jorge Jimenez started the rally with a one-out single to right. Coddington was up next and he hammered a double into the left center field gap to score pinch-runner A.J. Means from first with the go-ahead tally. Devin Lohman then singled to center plating Coddington for a 4-2 advantage.

The Giants scored one run in the bottom of the ninth, but fell short in their comeback effort. Luke Anders drew a four-pitch walk to begin the frame before new pitcher Doug Salinas yielded a single to right off the bat of Jose Flores. Nick Liles then sacrificed the runners to second and third with a bunt, but Salinas retired Burg on an RBI groundout to shortstop before James Simmons struck out swinging to end the game.

Drew Bowman (4-2) was credited with the win after working 1 1/3 innings of relief. Bowman allowed one run on no hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Salinas picked-up his 10th save of the season.

Main (2-4) suffered the loss for the Giants after surrendering two runs (both earned) on three hits in his only inning of work.

San Jose initially took a 1-0 lead when Parker led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run down the left field line on the 11th pitch of his at-bat. The home run was Parker's 10th of the year.

Andy Reichard started on the mound for the Giants and worked a season- high seven innings. The right-hander allowed just three hits and two runs (both earned) with no walks and three strikeouts.

Reichard began his start by retiring six consecutive Bakersfield hitters before running into trouble in the third. Jimenez led off with a single before Coddington blasted a two-run homer to left field for a 2-1 Blaze lead. Ryan LaMarre then singled with two outs, but was promptly thrown at second attempting to steal and Reichard would not allow another hitter to reach base for the remainder of his outing. Bakersfield was set down 1-2-3 in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings as Reichard retired the last 12 batters that he faced.

Daniel Renken started for the Blaze and struck out six with just one walk and one run allowed over six innings. Renken surrendered four hits, but no runs after Parker's first inning homer. Trailing by one run, San Jose threatened in the bottom of the fourth as Cavan led off with a double. However with one out, Flores hit a grounder to third that resulted in a double play as Cavan was tagged out by third baseman Alex Buchholz before a throw to first. Then in the fifth, Liles led off with a single before Simmons walked while a Parker groundout moved the runners to second and third with two down. Renken though retired Ehire Adrianza on a groundout to second ending the inning.

Notes: Bakersfield won their first game in eight attempts at Municipal Stadium ... The Giants lead the season series by a 13-5 margin, but have lost the last four meetings ... Parker was batting leadoff for only the second time this season ... Cavan's double was his team-leading 31st of the year ... The Blaze out-hit San Jose by a 7-6 margin ... Jose Valdez (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO) pitched a scoreless top of the ninth out of the Giants bullpen ... Reichard retired the Blaze 1-2-3 in six out of his seven innings ... Bakersfield left just one runner on base for the entire game ... The #7 through #9 positions in the Blaze lineup combined to finish 5-for-9 with four runs scored and four RBI's ... The rest of the lineup was 2-for-23 with no runs and no RBI's.

On Deck: The Giants and Blaze continue their three-game series on Monday evening at Municipal Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM. San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito (2-0, 1.98 ERA) is scheduled to make his third rehab start with San Jose this season while Bakersfield is expected to counter with Tim Crabbe (3-3, 3.70 ERA). Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com. The game will also be televised live on Comcast Hometown Network, Channel 104.

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California League Stories from August 8, 2011


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