CalL1 San Jose Giants

Early Offense, Agosta's Gem Lift Giants to 5-2 Win

Published on May 29, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


SAN JOSE, CA - The Giants scored five early runs and used a solid seven-inning start from Martin Agosta to post a 5-2 victory over the Modesto Nuts on Sunday afternoon at Municipal Stadium. The win opened a season-high 11-game homestand for San Jose (29-19).

Agosta (3-0) surrendered just five hits and two runs during his dominant start to pick-up the win. The right-hander, who at one point retired 14 consecutive Nuts hitters, walked one and struck out four. Reyes Moronta (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 SO) and Rodolfo Martinez (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO) then worked scoreless eighth and ninth innings respectively to seal the victory. Martinez earned his league-leading 14th save of the season.

Jonah Arenado (2-for-4, RBI) had two hits and drove in a run to lead the way offensively. Ty Ross (1-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Junior Arias (1-for-3, RBI) also delivered clutch two-out RBI hits for the Giants.

Modesto scored first in the contest with a run in the opening frame against Agosta. Omar Carrizales started the game with a single before Shane Hoelscher was hit by a pitch with one out. Drew Weeks then lined a single into right to load the bases. Dom Nunez was up next and he lifted a sacrifice fly into left plating Carrizales with the first run of the game. The two trail runners also advanced on the play, but were ultimately stranded when Agosta retired Collin Ferguson on a fly out to center.

The Nuts then threatened in the second against Agosta as Max White and Forrest Wall produced back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second with none out. Agosta though escaped as he picked-off White, set down Emerson Jimenez on a fly out and Carrizales on a groundout to retire the side.

San Jose took a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second against Modesto starter Carlos Polanco. A one-out walk to Jose Vizcaino, Jr. started the rally before Brandon Bednar was hit by a pitch. Then with two down, Arias lined an RBI single into left to tie the game. Ronnie Jebavy was up next and his grounder to third should have ended the inning, but it was misplayed by Hoelscher for an error allowing Bednar to score giving the Giants the lead.

San Jose then pushed across three more runs against Polanco in the third. C.J Hinojosa hammered the first pitch of the inning off the fence in deep left center for a triple and immediately scored when the next batter, Arenado, grounded a single up the middle. Daniel Carbonell followed with a double down the left field line to move Arenado to third before Vizcaino hit a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-1. After Bednar flied out, Ross clubbed a double to deep right center plating Carbonell for a 5-1 cushion.

Meanwhile, Agosta cruised on the mound after the first two innings. He struck out two in a 1-2-3 top of the third inning before throwing just 11 pitches in a perfect top of the fourth. Agosta registered another strikeout in the fifth and then breezed through a 3 up, 3 down top of the sixth - his fourth straight 1-2-3 inning. Agosta had retired 14 consecutive Nuts hitters until issuing a leadoff walk to Nunez in the top of the seventh. Two batters later, White doubled into the right field corner before Wall hit a sacrifice fly to plate Nunez cutting the lead to 5-2. Agosta though came back to set down Jimenez on a groundout to end the inning.

Moronta entered from the bullpen to begin the top of the eighth and had to pitch out of a jam to maintain the three-run lead. With one out, Josh Fuentes walked before Hoelscher doubled to put runners at second and third and bring the tying run to the plate. Weeks followed with a sharp line drive, but Vizcaino made a diving catch at third for the second out of the inning. Nunez then grounded out to complete the inning.

Martinez worked a 1-2-3 top of the ninth inducing two groundouts and a fly out to finish the game.

Polanco (1-3) was saddled with the loss after yielding five runs (all earned) on five hits over three innings. He walked two and struck out one. Three Modesto relievers - Helmis Rodriguez, Tyler Matzek and Logan Cozart - combined to work five scoreless innings with just one hit allowed.

Notes:

* The Giants have won two out of the first three games in their home-and-home series with the Nuts.

* Sunday was San Jose's first home game since May 14.

* Both teams finished with six hits.

* Agosta's seven innings pitched established a new season-high. He owns a 2.22 ERA this season.

* The Giants improved to a league-best 19-9 in May.

* Polanco is 0-3 with a 13.94 ERA in three starts against San Jose this season (2.57 ERA against the rest of the league).

On Deck: The Giants and Nuts conclude their four-game series on Monday afternoon with a special Memorial Day matinee start time of 2:00 PM at Municipal Stadium. Sam Coonrod (4-1, 1.38 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Modesto is expected to counter with Ryan Castellani (1-4, 3.02 ERA). Monday is the fifth annual Salute to the Military Day at the ballpark, presented by Operation: Care and Comfort. The day will be dedicated to honoring the brave men and women defending our country as the pregame festivities will include a first pitch ceremony, color guard presentation, special camouflage San Jose Giants jerseys and on-field recognition of individuals chosen for the Military Trading Card Set. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive the commemorative Military Trading Card Set, presented by Operation: Care and Comfort. All branches of the United States Military are represented in the set. For tickets, call (408) 297-1435 or visit sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from May 29, 2016


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