Giants Bullpen Shines in 2-1 Victory
July 25, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Ty Ross delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the fifth while three San Jose relievers combined on 5 2/3 scoreless innings to finish the game in a 2-1 Giants victory over the Bakersfield Blaze on Friday evening at Sam Lynn Ballpark. The win evened the series at a game apiece and was San Jose's (48-49) 14th victory in their last 16 games overall. The Giants improved their second half record to 18-9 and moved into a three-way tie for first place with Modesto and Visalia in the North Division.
Christian Jones (5-0) fired 3 1/3 scoreless innings of long relief to pick-up the win. Jones, who replaced the injured Martin Agosta in the bottom of the fourth, scattered four hits, walked one and struck out two. Ian Gardeck (1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) then stranded the potential tying run in scoring position in the seventh and eighth innings before Jake Smith (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth for his sixth save of the year.
Ross (2-for-2, RBI) was the only San Jose player to finish the game with more than one hit.
The Giants jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first against Blaze starter Dan Altavilla. With one out, Skyler Stromsmoe's grounder to shortstop was misplayed by Rayder Ascanio for an error. Stromsmoe then moved to second when Altavilla's pick-off throw deflected off the glove of first baseman Justin Seager for another error. A Daniel Carbonell single to right put runners on the corners before Stromsmoe came home when Angel Villalona grounded out weakly to third.
Agosta began his night with three scoreless innings retiring nine out of the first 11 Bakersfield hitters of the contest. The Blaze's only hit over the first three frames was an Ascanio single with two outs in the bottom of the second. With the score still 1-0, Tyler O'Neill led off the bottom of the fourth with a single to left. O'Neill then stole second before Austin Wilson fouled out to first. Tim Lopes was up next, but Agosta left the game in the middle of the at-bat. The Giants starter suffered an apparent leg injury after throwing a pitch and had to be helped off the field. Jones entered from the bullpen to finish the at-bat, but promptly allowed a double as Lopes smacked a line drive to the fence in deep center. The hit scored O'Neill with the tying run. Jones then plunked Estarlyn Morales with a pitch, but managed to prevent further damage as Ascanio lined out to left and Justin Seager grounded out to end the inning.
Agosta was charged with one run on two hits over 3 1/3 innings in his injury-shortened start. He walked one and struck out three.
San Jose then immediately reclaimed the lead with a run in the top of the fifth. Brandon Bednar led off with a double down the left field line and scored the go-ahead run when the next batter, Ross, grounded a single into right center.
Bakersfield threatened in the bottom of the fifth against Jones as Aaron Barbosa singled with one out and moved all the way to third when Jones threw wildly to first on a pick-off attempt. Jones though recovered to strikeout Nelson Ward on three pitches and after an intentional walk of O'Neill, retired Wilson on a groundout to second.
Jones pitched around a one-out single in the bottom of the sixth to maintain the 2-1 lead. In the seventh, Barbosa singled with one out and was then sacrificed to second by Ward. O'Neill was up next, but Gardeck was summoned and promptly struck out the Blaze slugger on three pitches to complete the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth, Bakersfield put the potential tying run at second with none out, but again came away empty-handed. Wilson was hit by a pitch to start the frame before a wild pitch advanced the runner to second. Lopes though grounded to shortstop for the first out. Morales then bounced out back to Gardeck with Wilson moving to third before Ascanio struck out swinging.
Smith then breezed through a perfect bottom of the ninth to seal the victory. Seager flied out to center to leadoff before Smith registered consecutive swinging strikeouts of Daniel Torres and Barbosa to end the game.
Altavilla (4-8), who entered Friday with the fifth-lowest ERA in the league, suffered the loss. The Blaze right-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits over six innings. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk. Altavilla and two Bakersfield relievers combined to hold the Giants hitless over the final four innings.
California League Stories from July 25, 2015
- Mengden Masterful for Ports in 5-3 Win - Stockton Ports
- Bats Quiet against Former 'Hawk Mengden - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Bullpen Shines in 2-1 Victory - San Jose Giants
- Rancho Rips Inland Empire on Friday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Quakes Jump to Early Lead, Shine on Mound - Inland Empire 66ers
- Blaze Lose Pitchers' Duel - Bakersfield Blaze
- Sensational Senzatela Sparkles in Nuts 4-0 Success - Modesto Nuts
- Soto's Homer Lifts Ports Past JetHawks 5-4 - Stockton Ports
- Homer in Sixth Spoils Martes' Debut - Lancaster JetHawks
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