CalL1 San Jose Giants

Forjet, Bullpen Pitch Giants to Series Win over Ports

Published on August 20, 2015 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


STOCKTON, CA - Jason Forjet tossed six scoreless innings before relievers Ray Black and Jake Smith held off Stockton over the final three frames to lead the Giants to a 3-1 victory over the Ports on Wednesday evening at Banner Island Ballpark. San Jose allowed a total of just one run over the last two nights en route to claiming two out of three games in the series. The win moved the Giants (61-61) into a tie with Stockton (61-61) for the second Wild Card spot in the North Division.

Forjet (5-4) allowed only two singles during his spectacular performance on the mound to pick-up the win. The right-hander walked and struck out six. Black (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 SO) struck out the side in a scoreless bottom of the seventh before Jake Smith (2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) recorded the last six outs for his 12th save of the season. The Ports scored once in the bottom of the eighth, but stranded the potential tying runs on base in the ninth as Smith slammed the door to secure the series win.

Offensively, Daniel Carbonell (2-for-3, RBI, SB) had two hits and gave San Jose the lead with a fourth-inning sacrifice fly. Brian Ragira (3-for-4), Skyler Stromsmoe (2-for-5, 2B) and Christian Arroyo (2-for-4) also finished with multi-hit games for the Giants.

The game was scoreless through three innings as Stockton starter Matt Stalcup retired nine straight San Jose hitters to begin his outing. The Giants then rallied in the top of the fourth as Stromsmoe led off with a double into the left field corner - San Jose's first baserunner of the game. Arroyo followed with an infield single on a slow roller to third base. The hit put runners on the corners with none out before Carbonell delivered a sacrifice fly to center plating Stromsmoe for a 1-0 lead.

The Giants pushed their advantage to 2-0 with a single run in the top of the sixth. With one out, Arroyo walked and then Carbonell singled. Angel Villalona was up next and he grounded a single into left plating Arroyo with the second run of the contest.

Meanwhile, Forjet cruised throughout his entire start. Stockton's only hit over the first five innings was a one-out single from Melvin Mercedes in the bottom of the first. In the second, B.J. Boyd walked and stole second with two outs, but was stranded in scoring position. Forjet retired seven Ports hitters in a row until Tyler Marincov reached on a two-out throwing error committed by Arroyo at shortstop in the bottom of the fourth. Marincov then stole second, but Forjet retired the next batter, Boyd, on a fly out to center ending the threat.

Forjet then pitched around a two-out walk in the bottom of the fifth and a one-out single from Yairo Munoz in the sixth to finish his outing. Forjet threw 93 pitches during his six-inning masterpiece.

Black entered from the bullpen in the seventh and issued a leadoff walk to Boyd before a one-out walk to Trent Gilbert put the potential tying run on base. The Giants reliever though recovered registering consecutive three-pitch strikeouts of Branden Cogswell and Brett Vertigan to retire the side and keep the score at 2-0.

San Jose plated their final run of the night in the top of the eighth. With one out, Carbonell singled and stole second. A Villalona fly out to deep center advanced Carbonell to third before Aramis Garcia walked. Ryder Jones was up next and he beat out a slow grounder to the shortstop for an infield single as Carbonell came home to make it 3-0.

In the bottom of the eighth, Smith walked Mercedes to start the frame, but induced the next batter, Munoz, to ground into a double play. However, the Ports rallied with two outs as Santiago Chavez doubled down the right field line and scored when the next batter, Marincov, lined a single into left. The hit brought Stockton to within 3-1, but Smith prevented further damage as Boyd grounded out to second on a sliding stop made by Stromsmoe to end the inning.

Smith returned to the mound in the bottom of the ninth and surrendered a leadoff single to Soto bringing the tying run to the plate. The Giants closer though came back with back-to-back swinging strikeouts of Gilbert and Cogswell for the first and second outs of the inning. Vertigan then grounded a single up the middle to put runners on first and second, but Smith struck out Mercedes, who represented the potential winning run, on a 3-2 high fastball to finish the game.

Stalcup (2-4) suffered the loss after allowing two runs (both earned) on six hits over 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out five.

Notes:

* The Giants finish the season with a 12-8 record against Stockton (9-5 in the second half).

* San Jose out-hit the Ports 11-7.

* Forjet has thrown 13 scoreless innings in two starts against Stockton this year. He lowered his season ERA to 3.14.

* The Ports left 10 runners on base, including five over the last three innings.

* Giants pitching combined for 12 strikeouts.

* Ragira is 5-for-8 over his last two games.

* Smith notched saves in back-to-back games for the second time this season (July 17-18).

* Since July 1, the San Jose bullpen owns a 2.22 ERA.

* Jones (quad) was activated off the disabled list before the game. Wednesday marked his first game since August 5. Infielder John Polonius was placed on the 7-day DL.

* The Giants also moved to within one game of Modesto (62-60) for the first Wild Card spot. San Jose (31-21) remained two games behind Visalia (33-19) in the second half North Division race. 18 games are left in the regular season.

On Deck: The Giants return home on Thursday evening to begin a four-game series against the Bakersfield Blaze. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Andrew Suarez (0-0, --- ERA) is slated to make the start on the mound for San Jose while Bakersfield is expected to counter with Ryan Yarbrough (2-6, 4.10 ERA). It's a Thirsty Thursday, presented by KFOX Classic Rock 98.5, at the ballpark and tickets can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting sjgiants.com.

Check out the San Jose Giants Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



California League Stories from August 20, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central