CalL1 San Jose Giants

Giants Drop Series Opener to Quakes, 5-2

June 17, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


SAN JOSE, CA - The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes used back-to-back two-run innings in the fourth and fifth en route to a 5-2 victory over the San Jose Giants on Thursday evening at Municipal Stadium. In the opener of a four-game series, the Giants (37-29) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead only to see the Quakes score five unanswered runs to secure the win.

C.J Hinojosa (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) hit a first-inning two-run home run to account for all of the San Jose offense in the loss. Steven Duggar (3-for-4, 2B) was the only Giants player to finish the contest with more than one hit.

San Jose out-hit Rancho Cucamonga by a 9-6 margin, but finished just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Facing rehabbing Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy, Giants leadoff batter Ronnie Jebavy began the bottom of the first with a single. Jebavy then stole second before Duggar struck out. Hinojosa was up next and he crushed an 0-1 pitch over the fence in left for a two-run homer. The home run, Hinojosa's fifth of the season, gave San Jose a 2-0 lead.

McCarthy pitched the first three innings for the Quakes and allowed two runs (both earned) and four hits. He walked one and struck out three.

Jason Forjet started on the mound for the Giants and began his outing with three scoreless innings. Forjet had retired seven straight Rancho Cucamonga hitters until hitting Tim Locastro with a pitch to begin the top of the fourth. Yasiel Puig then walked to put runners on first and second before Matt Beaty hammered an RBI double off the center field fence. Devan Ahart then grounded out to plate Puig with the tying run.

After Quakes reliever Bubby Rossman threw a scoreless bottom of the fourth to keep the game tied, Rancho Cucamonga kept the pressure on offensively with another two-run frame in the fifth. Garrett Kennedy led off with a home run to straightaway right to give the Quakes a 3-2 lead. Joey Curletta then doubled, moved to third on Erick Mejia's single and scored when Puig grounded out to make it 4-2.

Grant Holmes, the originally scheduled starter for the Quakes, entered from the bullpen to begin the bottom of the fifth and pitched around singles from Robbie Garvey and Duggar in his opening inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Jonah Arenado singled with one out, but was stranded. Holmes then went 3 up and 3 down in the seventh.

Forjet finished his night with scoreless sixth and seventh innings before Rancho Cucamonga added to their lead with a single tally in the top of the eighth. With Jeff Soptic (2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO) on the mound, Johan Mieses doubled with one out, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Beaty's groundout. The run pushed the Quakes advantage to 5-2.

The Giants threatened in the bottom of the eighth as Duggar led off with a double to deep left, but Holmes recovered to set down the next three hitters. Holmes then worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to finish the game.

Rossman (3-0), who pitched only the bottom of the fourth, was officially credited with the win. Holmes tossed five scoreless innings with four hits allowed, no walks and four strikeouts to earn his first save of the year.

Forjet (6-5) matched a season-high with seven innings pitched, but was saddled with the loss. The right-hander surrendered four runs (all earned) and five hits. Forjet, who retired nine straight Rancho Cucamonga hitters to end his start, walked one and struck out six.

Notes:

* The Giants fell to 2-2 on their current homestand.

* San Jose has lost six out of their last eight home games.

* Jebavy (1-for-4, SB) extended his hitting streak to 10 games. It matches the longest hit streak by a Giants player this season (Chris Shaw).

* Arenado (1-for-4) also pushed his hitting streak to a season-high eight games.

* McCarthy was making his second rehab start with Rancho Cucamonga as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

* Puig played the first seven innings for the Quakes and finished 1-for-2 with a single, a walk and an RBI.

On Deck: The Giants and Quakes continue their four-game series on Friday evening with first pitch at Municipal Stadium scheduled for 7:00 PM. Jose Reyes (2-1, 5.01 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Rancho Cucamonga is expected to counter with Hyun-Jin Ryu (ML Rehab). It's a KRTY Family Friday at the ballpark and a spectacular fireworks show will follow the game. For tickets, call (408) 297-1435 or visit sjgiants.com.

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