CalL1 San Jose Giants

Giants Hold off Sixers to Win Series Finale

Published on September 3, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Francisco Peguero and Charlie Culberson each blasted home runs and the San Jose Giants held off a late Inland Empire 66ers rally to claim an 8-7 decision on Thursday evening at Municipal Stadium. Inland Empire scored twice in the eighth and ninth innings and had the potential go- ahead run on base in the final frame before falling short in the finale of the three-game series. The win improves San Jose's record to 73-63 - two games ahead of the Stockton Ports (71-65) and Visalia Rawhide (71-65) for the top overall mark in the North Division. Four games remain in the regular season.

Peguero (3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI) extended his hitting streak to 16 games to lead a nine-hit Giants offensive attack. Wendell Fairley (2-for-3, RBI) added a pair of hits while Joel Weeks (1-for-3, 2 RBI, SB) drove home two runs.

Oliver Odle (12-7) became the first 12-game winner in the California League this season after tossing six innings with three runs (all earned) and seven hits allowed. Odle struck out five and walked none. Jason Stoffel allowed a pair of runs in the top of the ninth, but still earned his 24th save of the year.

The Giants took an 8-3 lead into the top of the eighth inning, but the 66ers rallied against San Jose reliever Brian Anderson (2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO). Chris Gutierrez started the inning with a single before Austin Gallagher doubled to put runners on second and third. Andres Perez followed with a sacrifice fly while Steven Caseres delivered a two-out, RBI single to make it 8-5.

Stoffel (1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) entered the game to begin the top of the ninth and quickly set down the first two hitters. Ramon Jean then reached on an infield single to third before Chris Gutierrez doubled off the wall in left center. Gallagher followed with a line drive single into right plating both runners to make it 8-7. Stoffel then walked Perez to advance the potential tying run to second base. Gabriel Gutierrez was up next and he hit a soft ground ball to second that deflected off the baserunner Perez. By rule, Perez was out and the game ended.

Culberson got San Jose on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning when a one-out, solo homer to deep left. The home run, Culberson's 16th of the season, tied the score at 1-1. Consecutive walks to Fairley and Ehire Adrianza was followed by a fly out off the bat of Drew Biery to move the runners to second and third. Weeks then lined a single into right plating both Fairley and Adrianza to make it 3-1. Weeks took second on the throw, then stole third before coming home on Peguero's infield single.

Inland Empire plated single runs in the third and fifth innings against Odle before the Giants scored three times in the bottom of the sixth. Fairley started the rally with a single before he was forced out at second on Adrianza's fielder's choice ground ball. After Biery struck out, Weeks drew a walk and then Peguero hammered an 0-1 pitch over the fence in left for a three-run homer. The home run, Peguero's 10th of the year, extended the Giants lead to 7-3.

San Jose moved in front by an 8-3 margin in the bottom of the seventh on Fairley's two-out, RBI single.

Notes: The Giants won two out of three games in the series ... San Jose finishes 4-2 against Inland Empire this season ... Weeks extended his hitting streak to 10 games ... The Giants were 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts ... Brandon Crawford was added to the San Jose roster from the Salem-Keizer (Short-Season) disabled list before the game ... Crawford started at DH and was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts ... Odle earned his first home win of the season ... He's 11-3 on the road.

On Deck: The Giants continue their homestand on Friday evening with the opener of a four-game series against the Visalia Rawhide. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Kyle Woodruff (3-2, 3.22 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Visalia is expected to counter with Dan Taylor (6-6, 6.08 ERA). It's a KFOX Family Friday and tickets can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from September 3, 2010


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