CalL1 San Jose Giants

Giants Edge Ports to Complete Four-Game Sweep

Published on May 6, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


STOCKTON, CA - Sam Coonrod tossed six scoreless innings and Chris Shaw hit a two-run home run in the top of the first to lead the San Jose Giants to a 2-1 victory over the Stockton Ports on Thursday evening at Banner Island Ballpark. With the win, San Jose (14-11) completes a four-game series sweep of the Ports.

Coonrod (1-1) allowed four hits with three walks and three strikeouts during his six-inning performance to pick-up the win. The right-hander retired the final eight Stockton hitters he faced. Rodolfo Martinez pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth inning for his eighth save of the year.

Shaw's (1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) first-inning home run accounted for all the Giants offense on Thursday. San Jose won despite finishing the game with only three hits.

San Jose jumped out early against Stockton starter Brett Graves scoring in the top of the first for a third straight game. With two outs, C.J Hinojosa singled before Shaw stepped to the plate and lined the first pitch of his at-bat over the fence in right center for a two-run homer. The home run was Shaw's team-leading sixth of the season.

The Ports threatened early against Coonrod putting at least one runner in scoring position in each of the first four innings, but failing to score in every frame. In the bottom of the first, B.J. Boyd singled with one out before Joe Bennie doubled to put runners on second and third. Coonrod though recovered to strikeout Tyler Marincov before Sandber Pimentel grounded out to end the inning.

In the second, Seth Brown singled with one out before a walk to Jose Brizuela, however Coonrod induced the next hitter, Argenis Raga, to ground into an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play. The following inning saw Boyd double with one out, but he was stranded in scoring position after Bennie grounded out and Marincov struck out. Then in the fourth, back-to-back one-out walks put runners on first and second, but Coonrod settled down retiring Brizuela on a fly out and Raga on a pop out to keep the score at 2-0.

Meanwhile, Jose Vizcaino, Jr's second-inning single marked the final Giants hit of the contest. San Jose's only baserunners over the last seven innings were a two-out walk to Cristian Paulino in the top of the fifth and a leadoff walk to Hinojosa in the seventh.

Coonrod ended his night with 1-2-3 fifth and sixth innings. Dusten Knight (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO) relieved Coonrod to start the bottom of the seventh and allowed a one-out solo home run to Brizuela as the Ports cut the Giants lead in half. Knight though recovered to strike out the next two hitters to end the inning.

Reyes Moronta (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO) pitched the bottom of the eighth for San Jose and was able to maintain the one-run advantage. A walk to Boyd started the frame before Moronta struck out Bennie and retired Marincov on a pop out. After a wild pitch advanced Boyd to second, Moronta struck out Pimentel to retire the side.

In the bottom of the ninth, Martinez (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 SO) needed just three pitches to set down the first two batters before issuing a walk to Brizuela. Pinch-hitter John Nogowski followed with a line drive single into right center advancing Brizuela, the potential tying run, to second. Martinez though settled down to retire James Harris on a routine groundout to shortstop to seal the victory.

Graves (2-4) suffered the loss despite working a season-high 6 2/3 innings. The Ports right-hander allowed two runs (both earned) and three hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Notes:

* The Giants swept a four-game series in Stockton for the first time since the 2007 season.

* San Jose is a perfect 7-0 against the Ports this year. The Giants have outscored Stockton 42-17 in the seven games.

* Coonrod lowered his season ERA to 1.77 (four starts).

* Martinez's eight saves are tied for the league lead.

* The Ports out-hit San Jose 6-3. Stockton was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position (the Giants did not have an at-bat w/RISP).

* San Jose finished their road trip with a 4-3 record.

* Shaw hit .423 (11-for-26) with four home runs and 14 RBI's during the road trip (seven games).

* The Giants have won a season-high tying four consecutive games.

On Deck: The Giants return home on Friday night to begin a three-game series against the Lake Elsinore Storm. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 PM. D.J. Snelten (1-2, 3.43 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while the Storm are expected to counter with Chris Huffman (3-1, 2.86 ERA). It's a KRTY Family Friday at the ballpark while a spectacular fireworks show presented by Blossom Valley Pony Baseball will follow the game. For tickets, call (408) 297-1435 or visit sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from May 6, 2016


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