CalL1 San Jose Giants

Eight-Run Inning Propels Giants Past Ports

Published on July 9, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


SAN JOSE, CA - The San Jose Giants used an eight-run bottom of the seventh inning to rally past the Stockton Ports, 11-7, on Friday evening at Municipal Stadium. Ty Ross delivered a go-ahead three-run double in the decisive inning before Ronnie Jebavy's two-run home run capped the scoring in the frame for the Giants. The series-opening victory was San Jose's (47-38) fourth win in their last five games.

Jebavy (3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, SB) had three hits while Ross (2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI) drove in three runs to lead the Giants offensive attack. Robbie Garvey (3-for-5, 2B, RBI), Jonah Arenado (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) and Daniel Carbonell (2-for-4, RBI) also produced multi-hit games for San Jose.

The back-and-forth affair saw Stockton score five runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-2 lead. The Giants cut into the Ports advantage with a single tally in the bottom of the sixth as Arenado led off with a double into the left field corner and scored a batter later when Jose Vizcaino, Jr. singled sharply into center. Carbonell followed by drawing a walk before a T.J. Bennett sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third, but Ross struck out and Cristian Paulino grounded out to end the inning and keep the score at 5-3.

San Jose though exploded in the bottom of the seventh sending 12 batters to the plate scoring eight runs on seven hits. Jebavy led off with a single into left. Garvey followed with a bunt that was misplayed by Ports reliever Joey Wagman for an error. After Dylan Davis struck out, Arenado singled to deep center plating Jebavy to trim the Stockton lead to 5-4. Vizcaino, Jr. then flied out to right for the second out as Garvey tagged up and advanced to third. Carbonell was up next and he hit a slow roller to third for an infield single bringing home Garvey with the tying run. The rally continued when Bennett drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases before Ross hit a fly ball down the right field line that dropped narrowly inside the foul line. The hit cleared the bases as Arenado, Carbonell and Bennett all easily scored and Ross cruised into second with a double. Paulino then grounded a single into left to score Ross for a 9-5 Giants lead. Jebavy followed with a towering two-run home run to left center making the score 11-5.

Pat Young (2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) entered from the bullpen to begin the top of the eighth and allowed a pair of runs in his first inning of work. A two-out RBI single from Iolana Akau brought home one run before a Young wild pitch with a runner at third scored the second run of the inning to cut the San Jose lead to 11-7. Stockton though would get no closer as Young prevented further damage in the inning before pitching around a leadoff single in the top of the ninth to seal the victory.

Jeff Soptic (1-3) was credited with the win out of the Giants bullpen after tossing 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Soptic allowed one hit, walked one and struck out three.

Wagman (3-5) took the loss for the Ports. The right-hander was charged with six runs (one earned) on four hits over 1 2/3 innings of relief.

San Jose built an early 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and third innings. In the bottom of the first, consecutive one-out singles from Garvey and Davis put runners on the corners before Arenado hit a sacrifice fly to deep left. Then in the third, Jebavy led off with a single, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Garvey RBI single.

Meanwhile, Giants starter Jordan Johnson began his start with four hitless innings. Johnson retired 12 out of the first 13 Stockton hitters, including eight via the strikeout. He had struck out four straight Ports batters before running into trouble in the top of the fifth. A leadoff double from Seth Brown for Stockton's first hit of the game was followed by a Sandber Pimentel groundout. After Mikey White walked, Johnson was called for a balk to score Brown. Akau followed with an RBI single into right to tie the game 2-2. Two batters later, James Harris launched a two-out, two-run home run to deep right center for a 4-2 Ports lead. Then after Richie Martin singled, B.J. Boyd crushed an RBI triple to deep left to make it 5-2.

Johnson allowed five runs (all earned) on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out a season-high nine.

Soptic relieved Johnson with two outs in the top of the fifth and kept Stockton off the scoreboard for the duration of his long relief outing before San Jose reclaimed the lead in the seventh.

Notes: * The eight-run bottom of the seventh matched San Jose's highest scoring inning of the season (eight runs in the second inning of the May 14 game versus Modesto - also an 11-7 win). * The Giants out-hit the Ports 16-9. * San Jose was 7-for-16 (.438 AVG) with runners in scoring position. * Jebavy extended his hitting streak to 10 games. He's hit three home runs over his last five games. * Giants pitching combined for 15 strikeouts. * San Jose improved to 12-3 against Stockton this season (4-0 at Municipal Stadium).

On Deck: The Giants and Ports continue their four-game series on Saturday evening with first pitch at Municipal Stadium scheduled for 5:00 PM. Jose Reyes (2-2, 4.28 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Stockton is expected to counter with Heath Fillmyer (4-6, 3.71 ERA). It's a Mix 106.5 Saturday in the Park and Relay for Life Night at the ballpark. Fans can "Paint the Park Purple" by wearing their purple gear and will also receive two free future game tickets. Players will wear special purple jerseys that will be available for fans during an in-game silent auction benefiting Relay for Life. Winning bidders get to go out on the field after the game and retrieve their jersey right off the respective player's back. For tickets, call (408) 297-1435 or visit sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from July 9, 2016


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