CalL1 San Jose Giants

Giants Earn Series Split With 4-2 Victory Over Blaze

Published on April 26, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Johnny Monell and Juan Perez each hit home runs while Kyle Nicholson pitched into the seventh inning to lead the San Jose Giants to a 4-2 victory over the Bakersfield Blaze on Sunday afternoon at Sam Lynn Ballpark. Ryan Lormand's RBI single in the top of the sixth inning put the Giants ahead for good as San Jose earned a split of the four- game series. With the win, the Giants improve their record to 9-6.

Nicholson (2-1) earned his second win in eight days over Bakersfield after tossing 6 1/3 innings with two runs (both earned) and five hits allowed. The right-hander walked three and struck out three. David Quinowski (1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO), Scott Nestor (1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 SO) and Edwin Quirarte (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 SO) all worked out of the San Jose bullpen and combined to hold the Blaze scoreless over the final 2 2/3 innings. Quirarte was credited with his second save of the year.

Perez (2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI) was the lone Giants starter to finish with a multi-hit game at the plate although eight different San Jose players recorded at least one hit in the contest. The Giants out-hit Bakersfield by a 9-6 margin.

With the score tied 1-1, James Simmons began the sixth inning rally by lining the first pitch from Blaze starter Jacob Brigham into the right field corner for a double. After Perez grounded out, Lormand lined a single into right plating Simmons with the go-ahead run.

Monell extended the San Jose lead to 3-1 when he belted a solo homer to deep right center field in the top of the seventh. The home run was Monell's first of the season.

Bakersfield rallied in the bottom of the seventh as Nicholson issued a leadoff walk to Mike Bianucci before David Paisano singled with one out to prompt a pitching change. Quinowski was summoned from the bullpen and he retired Jared Bolden on a pop out for the second out of the inning before Nestor was brought into pitch. Jose Felix then lined a single into left to load the bases before Nestor walked Jacob Kaase to force home a run and bring the Blaze to within 3-2. Nestor though would recover inducing Engel Beltre to ground out to second base on a 3-2 pitch to strand the bases loaded and keep the Giants ahead.

San Jose went back in front by two runs in the top of the eighth as Perez led off with a towering home run to deep left center field. The home run was Perez's second of the season and pushed the Giants advantage to 4-2.

Nestor needed only seven pitches to retire Bakersfield 1-2-3 in the bottom of the eighth before Quirarte worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth to seal the victory.

Brigham (0-2) suffered the loss for the Blaze after yielding three runs (all earned) on eight hits over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked none.

San Jose initially took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Perez started the game with a double, advanced to third on Lormand's ground out and scored on a wild pitch. Bakersfield tied the game in the bottom of the third inning when Bolden led off with a single, advanced to second and then third on consecutive wild pitches before scoring on Kaase's fielder's choice ground out.

Nicholson worked around a pair of two-out singles in the bottom of the fourth to keep the game tied before setting down the Blaze 1-2-3 in the fifth and sixth frames.

Notes: Nicholson has pitched 11 1/3 innings with three runs allowed over his last two starts - both wins against Bakersfield ... Brandon Belt (1-for-4) extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a fourth- inning single ... Perez's hitting streak is now at nine games ... The Giants have hit four home runs in the last three games after hitting only four homers in their first 12 games of the season ... Eight of San Jose's last nine games have been against the Blaze.

On Deck: The Giants begin a seven-game homestand on Monday evening with the first of three straight contests against the Stockton Ports. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Aaron King (1-0, 5.19 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Stockton is expected to counter with Kevin Smalley (0-1, 5.52 ERA). Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from April 26, 2010


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