CalL1 San Jose Giants

Giants Bullpen Saves 2-1 Victory over Mavericks

Published on May 24, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


ADELANTO - San Jose relievers stranded the potential tying run in scoring position in each of the last four innings as the Giants held on for a 2-1 victory over the High Desert Mavericks on Thursday evening at Mavericks Stadium. San Jose pitching combined for 13 strikeouts in the contest while holding the California League's top hitting club to a single run. With the win, the Giants improve their record to 31-16 and maintain their 1 1/2 game lead over the Visalia Rawhide (29-17) in the first half North Division race.

San Jose starting pitcher Kelvin Marte (2-0) picked-up the win after limiting the Mavericks to a single run over 5 2/3 innings. Marte struck out a season-high six and issued just one walk with four hits allowed during his stint on the mound.

Josh Osich (1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO), Bryce Bandilla (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 SO) and Hunter Strickland (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO) then combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to finish the game. Osich stranded two runners on base in both the sixth and seventh innings before Bandilla pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the eighth. In the ninth, the Mavericks put the potential tying run at third base with one out, but Strickland recorded a strikeout and a groundout of the next two hitters to seal the victory. Strickland was credited with his ninth save in nine opportunities this season.

The Giants jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with single runs in the second and third innings against High Desert starter Trevor Miller. In the top of the second, Devin Harris led off with a single before Jeff Arnold ripped an RBI double to the fence in left center.

Mac Williamson then gave San Jose a 2-0 advantage with a solo home run to left in the top of the third. The home run was Williamson's fifth of the season.

Meanwhile, Marte breezed through the first five innings allowing just two singles - both to Ramon Morla. Marte retired 17 out of the first 19 batters that he faced until running into trouble with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. An infield single from Jamal Austin started the rally before Ji-Man Choi drew a walk. Jabari Blash then reached on an infield single to load the bases and prompt a pitching change. Josh Osich was summoned from the bullpen, but he promptly uncorked a wild pitch on his first offering to bring home Austin. Osich though would recover to set down Daniel Paolini on a pop out to second to keep the score at 2-1.

In the bottom of the seventh, Osich struck out the first two batters before Mike McGee and Anthony Phillips delivered back-to-back singles. Chris Taylor was up next, but he struck out on three pitches to end the inning.

Bandilla entered the game to begin the bottom of the eighth and immediately ran into trouble as Austin led off with a single before moving to second on a wild pitch. Bandilla though set down Choi, the league's leading hitter, on a shallow fly ball to right for the first out of the inning. Blash then walked, but Paolini followed by striking out. The inning continued when Morla walked to load the bases, but Bandilla kept San Jose in front by striking out Steven Baron on a 3-2 pitch to finish the inning.

High Desert kept the pressure on in the bottom of the ninth against Strickland as pinch-hitter Kevin Rivers drew a leadoff walk. After a strikeout of Phillips, Rivers stole second and advanced to third when Arnold's throw sailed into center field for an error. Strickland though recovered on the next pitch to strikeout Taylor before inducing Austin to groundout to shortstop for the final out of the game.

Of the eight Mavericks runners left on base in the last four innings, six were stranded in scoring position.

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

Notes: San Jose and High Desert have split the first two games of the series ... The Giants improved to 6-3 on their current road trip ... Strickland (13) and Osich (13) each extended their scoreless innings streaks ... San Jose out-hit the Mavericks by an 8-7 margin ... The teams were a combined 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position (Giants 0-for-8, High Desert 1-for-8) ... Brock Bond (1-for-3) extended his hitting streak to seven games ... Williamson has hit all five of his home runs on the road.

On Deck: The Giants and Mavericks continue their four-game series on Friday evening with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Edwin Escobar (0-2, 3.53 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while High Desert is expected to counter with Jordan Pries (3-3, 5.93 ERA). The game can be heard live on sjgiants.com with coverage beginning at 6:35 PM.

Check out the San Jose Giants Statistics

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



California League Stories from May 24, 2013


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