Giants Blast 66ers to Begin Final Homestand
Published on September 1, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
Juan Perez had three hits and three RBI's as the San Jose Giants earned a 10-4 victory over the Inland Empire 66ers on Tuesday evening at Municipal Stadium. Starting pitcher Justin Fitzgerald worked seven effective innings helping the Giants to a win in the opener of their regular season-ending seven-game homestand. The victory improves San Jose's record to 72-62 - one game ahead of the Stockton Ports (71-63) and Visalia Rawhide (71-63) for the top overall mark in the North Division. Six games remain in the regular season.
Perez (3-for-5, 3B, 3 RBI) led a 13-hit Giants offensive attack as San Jose scored in double figures in a home game for the first time since July 21. Michael Sandoval (2-for-4, 2B), Drew Biery (2-for-4, 2B, SB), Wendell Fairley (2-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 SB) and Matt Klimas (2- for-4, RBI) also finished with two hits apiece.
Fitzgerald (10-6) picked-up his 10th win of the season after surrendering just one unearned run and five hits during his stint on the mound. The right-hander struck out four and walked one.
San Jose never trailed in the contest plating two runs in the bottom of the second inning to take the early lead. Sandoval started the frame with a double into the left field corner before consecutive groundouts from the next two hitters, Charlie Culberson and James Simmons, produced the first run. Biery then restarted the rally with a single, stole second and came home on Fairley's bloop single into shallow center.
The Giants extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning as Fairley reached on a one-out error before stealing a pair of bases. After Ehire Adrianza drew a walk, Perez stepped to the plate and hammered a triple off the fence in deep left center field to score both runners for a 4-0 advantage.
Fitzgerald didn't allow a hit until Ramon Jean led off the top of the fourth inning with a single into left. The San Jose starter had yielded just three singles and had faced only three batters over the minimum through the first six innings. Inland Empire then finally broke through in the top of the seventh as Andres Perez led off with a single before Johan Garcia's one-out bunt hit. On the play, the third baseman Biery threw wildly to first for an error allowing Perez to take third. Austin Yount was up next and he lifted a sacrifice fly to center plating Perez for the 66ers' first run of the night. Fitzgerald then struck out Clay Calfee to finish the inning and complete his outing.
The Giants responded with three runs in the bottom of the seventh as Klimas started the rally with a one-out single. After Adrianza was hit by a pitch, Perez singled up the middle to bring home Klimas. Adrianza advanced to third on the play while Perez took second on the throw. Then with the infield playing in, Francisco Peguero grounded a single into center field to score Adrianza and Perez for a 7-1 lead.
Dan Otero (1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO) relieved Fitzgerald to begin the top of the eighth and allowed consecutive singles to Bryant Hernandez and Alfredo Silverio to begin the frame before a two-out single from Perez loaded the bases. Dustin Yount followed with a sharp single into left scoring one run while Garcia followed with a two-run single up the middle to bring the 66ers to within 7-4. However, Otero settled down inducing the next hitter, Austin Yount, who represented the potential tying run, to bounce into a fielder's choice.
San Jose reclaimed the momentum with three runs of their own in the bottom of the eighth. Biery started the inning with a double to deep left before Fairley's RBI triple down the right field line. Klimas then singled sharply into right bringing home Fairley with the Giants' ninth run of the evening. Klimas would eventually score the 10th run on a two-out passed ball.
Eric Stolp (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO) tossed a 1-2-3 top of the ninth inning to seal the San Jose win.
Inland Empire starting pitcher Cody White (0-2) suffered the loss after surrendering two runs (both earned) on three hits over four innings of work.
Notes: Tuesday marked Inland Empire's first game at Municipal Stadium this season ... The Giants out-hit the 66ers by a 13-10 margin ... Peguero (1-for-5, 2 RBI) extended his hitting streak to 14 games ... Fitzgerald is one victory behind Oliver Odle (11) for the team lead ... A night after hitting his first home run of the season, Fairley connected for his first triple of the year ... San Jose finishes August with a 13-15 record.
On Deck: The Giants and 66ers continue their three-game series on Wednesday evening with first pitch at Municipal Stadium scheduled for 7:00 PM. San Francisco Giant Chris Ray is scheduled to start on the mound for San Jose in a rehabilitation assignment. Inland Empire is expected to counter with Aaron Miller (5-4, 2.61 ERA). Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.
California League Stories from September 1, 2010
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