CalL1 San Jose Giants

Giants Outlast Visalia In 10-Inning Thriller

Published on April 20, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Andy D'Alessio tripled home the go-ahead runs in the top of the 10th inning leading the San Jose Giants to a thrilling 11-8 victory over the Visalia Oaks on a windy Saturday night at Recreation Park. The Oaks scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to complete a wild comeback and force extra frames before the Giants responded with three runs in the tenth. The victory, San Jose's third in a row to begin this series, improved the Giants' record to 12-5.

D'Alessio (4-for-6, 3B, HR, 4 RBI) had a huge night at the plate to lead a 15-hit San Jose offensive attack. Pablo Sandoval (3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI) and Matt Downs (1-for-6, HR, RBI) also smacked home runs while San Jose stole seven bases as a team, including four from Tyler Graham.

The Giants built an 8-0 lead only to see Visalia score one run in the seventh inning, two runs in the eighth, and five runs in the bottom of the ninth. In the tenth, Graham started the run-scoring rally by reaching on a one-out bunt single. After he stole second base, Sandoval was intentionally walked. Graham then stole third before Brett Pill lined out sharply to third base for the second out of the inning. A pitching change brought Cody Evans into the game and D'Alessio greeted the new hurler with a triple off the fence in deep left center field to score both Graham and Sandoval for a 10-8 San Jose advantage. Dom Duggan followed with a bunt single plating D'Alessio for the third run of the inning.

Mike Musgrave (1-1) earned the victory on the mound after firing a perfect bottom of the tenth inning. Musgrave though did allow the hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth that tied the score.

Facing Giants reliever Ryan Shaver, Gerardo Parra began the ninth-inning rally by drawing a one-out walk. Ricardo Sosa then belted a home run to deep left field bringing the Oaks to within 8-5. Pete Clifford followed with a double before advancing to third base on a Shaver wild pitch. Steve Mena then grounded out to score Clifford with the third run of the inning.

After Justin Brashear singled to bring the potential tying run to the plate, Musgrave was summoned from the bullpen. However, Musgrave promptly walked JoJo Batten and then Tyler Jones slammed a triple to deep right center field plating both runners to tie the score at 8-8. Musgrave would recover to set down the next hitter, Pedro Ciriaco, on a routine ground out to shortstop forcing extra innings.

Kevin Pucetas was stellar on the mound to start the contest for the Giants. Pucetas worked six scoreless innings scattering six hits with one walk and two strikeouts. The right-hander lowered his ERA to an impressive 1.57.

San Jose used the home run to build a lead during the early innings. D'Alessio connected for a solo blast in the top of the second inning to straightaway center field for a 1-0 Giants advantage. Then in the third, Sandoval lifted a high fly ball down the right field line for a three-run homer. For Sandoval, it was his team-leading fifth home run of the season.

Later in the third inning, Bobby Felmy reached on an error to score Pill from second base with the fourth run of the frame.

In the fifth, Sandoval led off with a single before Pill lined a ball to right center field that was dropped by Batten for an error. The miscue allowed Sandoval to advance to third base while Pill moved into second. D'Alessio followed with an RBI single into left field before Felmy reached on a fielder's choice ground out to score Pill for a 7-0 lead.

Downs made it 8-0 in the top of the sixth with a solo home run to left.

Notes: The Giants won their first extra-inning game of the season (1-1) ... The San Jose pitching staff allowed a season-high eight runs ... Their previous high was only five runs (April 7 at Modesto, 5-4 loss) ... Relievers Craig Whitaker (1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 SO), Shaver (1 2/3 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO), and Musgrave (1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) combined to allow all eight scores ... The Giants went a remarkable 7-for-8 in stolen base attempts on Saturday ... In addition to Graham's perfect 4-for-4 effort, Mike McBryde stole two bases and Felmy swiped one bag ... McBryde (2-for-5, 2 SB) also contributed a multiple-hit game at the plate ... Every San Jose starter with the exception of Sharlon Schoop (0-for-5) recorded a hit ... D'Alessio, who finished a double shy of the cycle, raised his season batting average to .327 ... San Jose has won eight out of their last nine games ... The Giants maintain a one-game lead over the Stockton Ports (11-6) for the top mark in the North Division.

On Deck: The Giants look for a four-game sweep of the Visalia Oaks when this series concludes on Sunday afternoon. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 1:05 P.M. Ben Snyder (1-0, 0.53 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Visalia is expected to counter with Eddie Romero (0-2 4.96 ERA). The game can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from April 20, 2008


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