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CalL1 San Jose Giants

Clark Extends Win Streak As Giants Top Ports, 7-2

August 24, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Craig Clark tossed six effective innings to win his 14th consecutive decision and the Giants broke open a close game with four runs in the top of the eighth inning en route to a 7-2 victory over the Stockton Ports on Sunday evening at Banner Island Ballpark. Clark limited Stockton to a pair of runs to win his 15th game of the year as San Jose took two out of three in the series. The victory improves San Jose's second half record to 39-17 - eight games ahead of the Ports (31-25) for the top spot in the North Division. Only 14 games remain in the regular season.

Thomas Neal (2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI) hit a pair of key doubles during run-scoring rallies in the seventh and eighth innings to lead the Giants at the plate. Roger Kieschnick (2-for-5, 3B, 2 RBI), Nick Noonan (2-for-5, 2B) and Conor Gillaspie (2-for-5, RBI) also produced two hits each for San Jose.

Clark (15-2) maintained his long win streak after holding the Ports to two runs and five hits over a six-inning stint on the mound. The left-hander, who hasn't lost since May 7 (19 appearances), walked three and struck out one.

The game was tied 2-2 entering the top of the seventh inning as Neal led off the frame with a double into left field. Kieschnick followed a ground ball to second base that he beat out at first for an infield single. The hit advanced Neal, the potential go-ahead run, to third base. Ports reliever Leonardo Espinal recovered to strikeout Nestor Rojas before he was removed from the game in favor of Nick Walters. Gillaspie was up next and he greeted Walters with a line drive single into left field plating Neal to give San Jose the lead.

The Giants then exploded in the top of the eighth inning sending all nine hitters to the plate and scoring four runs on three hits. Consecutive one-out walks to Ryan Lormand and Tyler Graham preceded a single off the bat of Noonan as San Jose loaded the bases. Neal then ripped a ground ball down the left field line for a double to bring home two runs making it 5-2. Kieschnick followed with a line drive triple to the fence in right center field scoring Noonan and Neal extending the Giants lead to 7-2.

Ryan Shaver (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 SO), who relieved Clark to begin the bottom of the seventh, worked around one-out walks in the seventh and eighth innings to keep Stockton off the scoreboard. Wilmin Rodriguez (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) then struck out two in a scoreless bottom of the ninth to seal the victory.

The Ports initially took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as Frank Martinez connected for a two-out, RBI double off of Clark.

Stockton starter Pedro Figueroa fired five scoreless innings pitching around three hits and five walks. The Giants left eight runners on base in the first five frames, including six in scoring position. San Jose was 0-for-10 batting with runners in scoring position until Kieschnick's infield single in the top of the seventh.

The Giants finally broke through in the top of the sixth inning with a pair of unearned runs against Espinal. Gillaspie led off with a ground ball single into right field before Brian Bocock drew a walk. David Maroul then advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt bringing Lormand to the plate. Lormand hit a slow ground ball to first base that was fielded by Christian Vitters as Gillaspie broke for home. Vitters fired the ball to the plate, but his throw skipped in the dirt and under the glove of catcher Matt Smith as both Gillaspie and Bocock scored to give San Jose a 2-1 lead.

Steve Kleen quickly tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with a leadoff home run to deep left center field.

Notes: San Jose posted a 4-2 record on their six-game road trip ... Sunday marked the 34th and final game of the season between the Giants and Ports - San Jose's most frequent opponent ... The Giants won the season series by a 24-10 margin ... Gillaspie extended his hitting streak to eight games ... He is batting .400 during the streak ... San Jose out-hit Stockton by a 10-6 margin ... Clark is 14-0 in his last 19 appearances (18 starts) ... The Giants had 19 at-bats with runners in scoring position (five hits) while the Ports had just three (no hits) ... Kieschnick's two RBI's give him 99 on the season - second in the California League ... San Jose improved their overall record to 81-45.

On Deck: The Giants begin their final homestand of the regular season on Monday evening with the opener of a three-game series against the Visalia Rawhide. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder and 2009 Major League All-Star Justin Upton is expected to play for Visalia as part of a rehabilitation assignment. Kyle Nicholson (2-0, 3.80 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while the Rawhide is expected to counter with Pat McAnaney (10-7, 4.70 ERA). Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (408)297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.

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